Benefits of Broccoli & Other Cruciferous Vegetables
While more and more research studies are reporting the benefits of vegetable consumption for reducing our odds of developing breast cancer, fewer research studies have explored the possible impact of vegetable consumption on breast cancer recurrence. Despite the relative lack of research in this area, early results suggest that a diet high in vegetables might reduce the risk breast cancer recurrence.
In a new breast cancer study vegetable consumption by over 3,000 breast cancer survivors who participated in the
Women's Healthy Eating and Living Study was examined in relation to breast cancer recurrence and tamoxifen use [1]. The results of this investigation showed that breast cancer survivors with the highest third of vegetable consumption had about a 31% reduced risk for breast cancer recurrence and that this risk reduction improved to 44% if these breast cancer survivors were also taking tamoxifen. The greatest benefits appeared to be for those eating plenty of cruciferous vegetables. In fact, the risk for breast cancer recurrence was reduced by about 35% in breast cancer survivors who were taking tamoxifen and eating higher amounts of cruciferous vegetables. The greatest reduction in breast cancer risk observed (52% reduction) in this study was in women who were in the highest third of vegetable consumption, consumed above average amounts of cruciferous vegetables, and were taking tamoxifen.
These new breast cancer study results confirm earlier reports that eating higher levels of vegetables appears to decrease the risk for breast cancer recurrence. While overall vegetable consumption is an important part of healthy breast cancer diet, it also appears that adding plenty of cruciferous vegetables to one's diet can help reduce the odds of breast cancer recurrence. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower are good sources of indole-3-carbinol and sulphoraphane, phytochemicals that have been shown to have cancer fighting properties. So consider making cruciferous vegetables a regular part of your dining habits.
Spice Up Your Fight Against Breast Cancer
Curcumin is a natural component of the spice turmeric that is responsible for the spice's yellow pigment. Previous research has suggested that curcumin might have a variety of anti-cancer properties. In fact, a recent paper reported that the combination of curcumin and piperine, an active chemical from black pepper, might inhibit the self-renewal of breast cancer stem cells.
A new research study suggests that curcumin might also have cancer-fighting benefits for individuals with triple negative breast cancer [2]. Triple negative breast cancer is typically considered to be more aggressive and presents as a higher grade of breast cancer.
In this new study, breast cancer researchers treated triple negative breast cancer cells with different amounts of curcumin. Curcumin was shown to have a number of cancer fighting properties in this system. This included induction of DNA damage, localization of BRCA1 such that it was unable to repair the DNA damage, promotion of the death of triple negative breast cancer cells (while having minimal effect on non-cancerous breast cells), and suppression of the ability of triple negative breast cells to grow independently and to migrate.
This new research shows exciting promise for curcumin as a triple negative breast cancer fighting agent. Because of the aggressiveness of triple negative breast cancer any new developments in treatment options are an important step in the fight against breast cancer. While the research on curcumin for breast cancer is in the early stages, curcumin certainly shows promise as a cancer-fighting agent.
Please let your family and friends know they can download a
FREE copy of my breast cancer reduction book at
http://www.fightBCnow.com and sign up for free weekly breast cancer research updates.
References:
- Thomson CA, Rock CL, Thompson PA, Caan BJ, Cussler E, Flatt SW, Pierce JP. Vegetable intake is associated with reduced breast cancer recurrence in tamoxifen users: a secondary analysis from the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living Study. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 2010; 125:5-9-527.
- Rowe DL, Ozbay T, O’Regan RM, Nahta R. Modulation of the BRCA1 Protein and Induction of Apoptosis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines by the Polyphenolic Compound Curcumin. Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research 2009:3 61-75.
Discuss this information with your doctor to determine what is right for you. This information does not take the place of your doctor's professional advice, nor does it substitute for prescription medication, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or any other medical treatment. Unless specified otherwise, risk reductions are reported as relative risks or odds ratios in human clinical, animal studies, or lab culture studies. Fight Now™ is a trademark of Aaron Tabor, MD. FIGHT NOW is not associated with, or endorsed by, Johns Hopkins. ©2011 Aaron Tabor MD. All Rights Reserved.
While more and more research studies are reporting the benefits of vegetable consumption for reducing our odds of developing breast cancer, fewer research studies have explored the possible impact of vegetable consumption on breast cancer recurrence. Despite the relative lack of research in this area, early results suggest that a diet high in vegetables might reduce the risk breast cancer recurrence.
In a new breast cancer study vegetable consumption by over 3,000 breast cancer survivors who participated in the Women's Healthy Eating and Living Study was examined in relation to breast cancer recurrence and tamoxifen use [1]. The results of this investigation showed that breast cancer survivors with the highest third of vegetable consumption had about a 31% reduced risk for breast cancer recurrence and that this risk reduction improved to 44% if these breast cancer survivors were also taking tamoxifen. The greatest benefits appeared to be for those eating plenty of cruciferous vegetables. In fact, the risk for breast cancer recurrence was reduced by about 35% in breast cancer survivors who were taking tamoxifen and eating higher amounts of cruciferous vegetables. The greatest reduction in breast cancer risk observed (52% reduction) in this study was in women who were in the highest third of vegetable consumption, consumed above average amounts of cruciferous vegetables, and were taking tamoxifen.
These new breast cancer study results confirm earlier reports that eating higher levels of vegetables appears to decrease the risk for breast cancer recurrence. While overall vegetable consumption is an important part of healthy breast cancer diet, it also appears that adding plenty of cruciferous vegetables to one's diet can help reduce the odds of breast cancer recurrence. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower are good sources of indole-3-carbinol and sulphoraphane, phytochemicals that have been shown to have cancer fighting properties. So consider making cruciferous vegetables a regular part of your dining habits.
Spice Up Your Fight Against Breast Cancer
Curcumin is a natural component of the spice turmeric that is responsible for the spice's yellow pigment. Previous research has suggested that curcumin might have a variety of anti-cancer properties. In fact, a recent paper reported that the combination of curcumin and piperine, an active chemical from black pepper, might inhibit the self-renewal of breast cancer stem cells.
A new research study suggests that curcumin might also have cancer-fighting benefits for individuals with triple negative breast cancer [2]. Triple negative breast cancer is typically considered to be more aggressive and presents as a higher grade of breast cancer.
In this new study, breast cancer researchers treated triple negative breast cancer cells with different amounts of curcumin. Curcumin was shown to have a number of cancer fighting properties in this system. This included induction of DNA damage, localization of BRCA1 such that it was unable to repair the DNA damage, promotion of the death of triple negative breast cancer cells (while having minimal effect on non-cancerous breast cells), and suppression of the ability of triple negative breast cells to grow independently and to migrate.
This new research shows exciting promise for curcumin as a triple negative breast cancer fighting agent. Because of the aggressiveness of triple negative breast cancer any new developments in treatment options are an important step in the fight against breast cancer. While the research on curcumin for breast cancer is in the early stages, curcumin certainly shows promise as a cancer-fighting agent.
Please let your family and friends know they can download a FREE copy of my breast cancer reduction book at http://www.fightBCnow.com and sign up for free weekly breast cancer research updates.
References:
- Thomson CA, Rock CL, Thompson PA, Caan BJ, Cussler E, Flatt SW, Pierce JP. Vegetable intake is associated with reduced breast cancer recurrence in tamoxifen users: a secondary analysis from the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living Study. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 2010; 125:5-9-527.
- Rowe DL, Ozbay T, O’Regan RM, Nahta R. Modulation of the BRCA1 Protein and Induction of Apoptosis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines by the Polyphenolic Compound Curcumin. Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research 2009:3 61-75.
Discuss this information with your doctor to determine what is right for you. This information does not take the place of your doctor's professional advice, nor does it substitute for prescription medication, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or any other medical treatment. Unless specified otherwise, risk reductions are reported as relative risks or odds ratios in human clinical, animal studies, or lab culture studies. Fight Now™ is a trademark of Aaron Tabor, MD. FIGHT NOW is not associated with, or endorsed by, Johns Hopkins. ©2011 Aaron Tabor MD. All Rights Reserved.