Some phytoestrogens--estrogens found in plant foods--consumed at the levels in the typical American-style diet are associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer, a new study has found.
The development of endometrial cancer is related to prolonged exposure to estrogens without cyclic exposure to progesterone. Phytoestrogens may have antiestrogenic effects. Phytoestrogens are found in soy-based foods, and many foods contain added soy (such as white bread) or have low to moderate amounts of phytoestrogens (such as coffee and orange juice). Pamela L. Horn-Ross, Ph.D., of the Northern California Cancer Center, Union City, Calif., and colleagues evaluated the associations between dietary intake of seven specific compounds representing three classes of phytoestrogens (isoflavones, coumestans, and lignans) and the risk of endometrial cancer in a case-control study of women ages 35 to 79 in the San Francisco area.
Consumption of isoflavones and lignans, but not coumestans, was associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer, particularly among postmenopausal women. Obese postmenopausal women consuming relatively low amounts of phytoestrogens had the highest risk of endometrial cancer; however, the interaction between obesity and phytoestrogen intake was not statistically significant.
Study Examines Origins of Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors
Persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors might be associated with a chronic inflammatory process involving T cells, a new study suggests.
About 30% of women successfully treated for breast cancer suffer persistent fatigue of unknown origin. Earlier studies have found elevated levels of several inflammatory markers in circulating blood among breast cancer survivors experiencing fatigue. To identify the immunologic basis for these elevations, Julienne E. Bower, Ph.D., of the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute in Los Angeles, and colleagues examined cellular immune system status in 20 fatigued breast cancer survivors and 19 matched non-fatigued breast cancer survivors.
Fatigued survivors, compared with non-fatigued survivors, had statistically significantly increased numbers of circulating T lymphocytes, with pronounced elevation in the numbers of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD56+ effector T lymphocytes. These changes were independent of patient demographic and treatment characteristics. The increased numbers of circulating T cells correlated with elevations in the level of serum interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (a marker of inflammation). The authors note that these results require confirmation in a larger study.
Contact: Kim Irwin, UCLA, 310-206-2805, kirwin@mednet.ucla.edu
Also in the August 6 JNCI:
Note: The Journal of the National Cancer Institute is published by Oxford University Press and is not affiliated with the National Cancer Institute. Attribution to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute is requested in all news coverage.
JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute