 |
|
Herbal Menopause Therapy a Good Fit for Breast Cancer Patients?
October 08, 2008COLUMBIA, Mo. - When it comes to understanding the effectiveness and safety of using herbal therapies with other drugs, much is unknown. Now, a University of Missouri researcher will study how black cohosh - an herbal supplement often used to relieve hot flashes in menopausal women - interacts with tamoxifen, a common drug used to treat breast cancer.
As women age and reach menopause, their risk of developing breast cancer increases. Many women who have, or are at risk, for breast cancer take tamoxifen. The drug prevents approximately 50 percent of breast cancers in women who have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. However, when women take tamoxifen, they cannot take hormone replacement therapies to relieve menopausal symptoms. Their options are limited to taking antidepressants that can have complications, enduring uncomfortable menopausal symptoms, or trying the black cohosh.
"Hopefully, this study will provide evidence that black cohosh is safe to use for breast cancer patients," said Rachel Ruhlen, a postdoctoral researcher in the MU School of Medicine. "Currently, there is little reliable information guiding women in how they can use foods and botanical supplements to enhance their treatment or improve their quality of life."
To study how black cohosh and tamoxifen interact, Ruhlen will use a group of rats prone to breast cancer, known as ACI rats. Previous studies have found that human breast cancer is associated with life-time exposure of estrogen. ACI rats, like humans, develop mammary tumors after exposure to estrogen. In a previous study, Ruhlen found that when ACI rats were treated with the human breast cancer drug tamoxifen, mammary tumor mass was reduced by 89 percent.
"Many animal models of breast cancer differ in important ways from humans with breast cancer," Ruhlen said. "These models are useful in studying how human tumors grow and spread to other parts of the body, but fall short because of the difference in how human tumors begin. However, mammary tumors in ACI rats share several key features with the majority of human breast cancers, particularly in how tumors start. Because the ACI rats develop tumors and can be treated in a way similar to humans, it is a relevant model for human breast cancer."
Ruhlen's research on black cohosh and tamoxifen is funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Her paper, "Tamoxifen induces regression of estradiol-induced mammary cancer in ACI.COP-Ept2 rat model," will be published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Ruhlen works with Salman Hyder, a professor of biomedical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and investigator in the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center.
University of Missouri
"Many animal models of breast cancer differ in important ways from humans with breast cancer," Ruhlen said. "These models are useful in studying how human tumors grow and spread to other parts of the body, but fall short because of the difference in how human tumors begin. However, mammary tumors in ACI rats share several key features with the majority of human breast cancers, particularly in how tumors start. Because the ACI rats develop tumors and can be treated in a way similar to humans, it is a relevant model for human breast cancer."
Ruhlen's research on black cohosh and tamoxifen is funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Her paper, "Tamoxifen induces regression of estradiol-induced mammary cancer in ACI.COP-Ept2 rat model," will be published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Ruhlen works with Salman Hyder, a professor of biomedical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and investigator in the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center.
University of Missouri
Breast Cancer Current Events and Breast Cancer News RSSMenopause-cardiology consensus statement on cardiovascular disease and on HRT
A menopause-cardiology consensus statement has called for direct action to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in menopausal women. The statement also concludes that there is little evidence of increased CVD risk in taking HRT.
Researchers Identify Role of Gene in Tumor Development, Growth and Progression
Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine researchers have identified a gene that may play a pivotal role in two processes that are essential for tumor development, growth and progression to metastasis.
UCLA researchers create 'fly paper' to capture circulating cancer cells
Just as fly paper captures insects, an innovative new device with nano-sized features developed by researchers at UCLA is able to grab cancer cells in the blood that have broken off from a tumor.
Fertility procedures need not delay breast cancer treatment for younger women
A new study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that breast cancer patients under 40 years old who undergo fertility preservation do not face a significant delay in the treatment of their disease when their care is coordinated in a timely fashion.
Coffee break: Compound brewing new research in colon, breast cancer
A compound in coffee has been found to be estrogenic in studies by Texas AgriLife Research scientists.
Drugs to treat anemia in cancer patients linked to thromboembolism
Medications frequently given to cancer patients to reduce their risk of anemia are associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, according to new research led by Dawn Hershman, M.D, M.S., co-director of the breast cancer program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.
Discovery in worms by Queen's researchers points to more targeted cancer treatment
Researchers at Queen's University have found a link between two genes involved in cancer formation in humans, by examining the genes in worms. The groundbreaking discovery provides a foundation for how tumor-forming genes interact, and may offer a drug target for cancer treatment.
FDA approved leukemia drugs shows promise in ovarian cancer cells
The drug Sprycel, approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, significantly inhibited the growth and invasiveness of ovarian cancer cells and also promoted their death, a study by researchers with UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found.
Carnegie Mellon researchers link health-care debate to risk of dying in US and Europe
The current health care debate in the United States is complicated. Trade-offs between heath care expenditures, lifestyle choices and life expectancy have been suggested but seldom clearly demonstrated.
Scientists uncover new key to the puzzle of hormone therapy and breast cancer
The use of postmenopausal hormone therapy has decreased over time in the United States, which researchers suggest may play a key role in the declining rate of atypical ductal hyperplasia, a known risk factor for breast cancer.
More Breast Cancer Current Events and Breast Cancer News Articles
 |
New Balance Women's Lace Up X Out Breast Cancer Tech Tee (Athletic Grey, Small) by New Balance The New Balance X Out Breast Caner Tee has a soft hand and clearly states how everyone feels! |
 |
1149 WOMENS VINTAGE BLACK ADJUSTABLE FATIGUE CAP w/PINK STRIPES & ''BREAST CANCER'' RIBBON by Rothco A portion of these proceeds go to the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition- For Life, For Hope, For Change, For the Future Visit www.babylonbreastcancer.org for more information. |
 |
Just Get Me Through This!: The Practical Guide to Breast Cancer by Deborah A. Cohen (Author), M.D., Robert M. Gelfand (Author) |
 |
Fox Run Breast Cancer Awareness Baking Set by Fox Run Support Breast Cancer awareness in a sweet way with this five piece set. Bake cookies using the ribbon cookie cutters or cupcakes using the white paper bake cups with the pattern of pink ribbons. Decorate both with the included 4 in 1 sprinke assortement jar. The set also includes a pink silicone spoon spatula to help mix up your favorite batch of cookie dough. |
 |
Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon Promise of a Cure Cuff Bracelet by Silver Insanity This Cuff Bracelet Will Fit up to a 8" Wrist and is 3/8" Wide Crafted of a Silver Toned Base Metal and Brought to High Polish Shine Set with a Bright Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon and Inscribed With The Phrase "Promise of a Cure" |
 |
Wrangler Women's Tough Enough To Wear Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Jacket,Pink,X-Large by Wrangler Are you tough enough to wear pink? That is the question the western industry asked 12/9/05 at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (Wrangler NFR), the "Super Bowl of pro rodeo," as it launched Tough Enough to Wear Pink (TETWP). TETWP is a multi-year, western-industry-wide fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. TETWP partners are ponying up to support this cause by manufacturing pink merchandise with proceeds benefiting breast cancer research. By wearing this Tough Enough to Wear Pink shirt you are helping in the fight against breast cancer. This TETWP shirt is a pink cotton plaid. Import. Tough Enough to Wear Pink. long sleeve zip front jacket with zippered front slash pockets and the breast cancer embroidery on left chest. 100% Polyester Fleece/100% Nylon... |
 |
Raymond Geddes National Breast Cancer Foundation Pen (67709) by Raymond Geddes Breast Cancer Awareness Pen, Join Geddes in supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the fight against Breast Cancer. Assortment contains pink pens with pink ribbons. Retractable, black in pen ink. 5 1/2" long. |
 |
Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul: Stories to Inspire, Support and Heal (Chicken Soup for the Soul) by Jack Canfield (Author), Mark Victor Hansen (Author), Mary Olsen Kelly (Author) Your support group in a book, filled with boundless strength and profound hope - until the fight is won. Along with the shock, fear and loss many women face upon a breast cancer diagnosis comes unexpected strength, wisdom, and strong networks of sharing, support and healing. In Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul, survivors and their family members talk openly about how difficult their fight with breast cancer has been and how they made it through the dark times with a belief in a higher power and the support of those closest to them. Find strength in the encouraging stories of how family members confront their fears and show genuine affection for one another through gestures such as a granddaughter cutting the hair off of all her dolls so that they will... |
 |
Find the Cure Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Wristband by sci Find The Cure Pink Breast Cancer Awareness wristband |
 |
Sunbeam Camelot Microplush Heated Throw, Breast Cancer Awareness Pink by Sunbeam Soft comfortable fabric that you can cuddle up with anywhere in your house. Use it on the couch while curling up to read a good book or in a chair while watching your favorite show. This throw is 50"x60", with a primstyle control which features 3 warming settings and 3 hour auto-off. So turn on your warming blanket, turn off your thermostat and save on your heating bill. Warm up to a good cause! Sunbeam is joining the fight against breast cancer. Through the purchase of this pink throw, sunbeam will donate $1.00 to city of hope for breast cancer research, treatment and education* up to $25,000. Program ends april 30, 2009. "to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all, and energizing science to find the cures." *to learn more about... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |