Calling all TNs
Comments
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NavyMom+ YEAH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope the same is true for all of us. Cannot wait to join you in 5 years.
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WOOOOT wooooot !!!!! ,
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Navy congratulations. You deserve every second of this wonderful news. Time for celebrations girl and I hope you get to do it with your wonderful son as well. Go celebrate and as they say 'break a leg' but not literally.
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So happy for you NavyMom!! Such great news!! Go celebrate!!! I am looking forward to that day!!
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Navy Mom first of all congratulations. Secondly, you have been a consistent force in this thread and it is wonderful to read your good news. I have been away from this thread for a bit but reached my 3 year mark and my 60th birthday this month.
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Congrats on your three year mark paintingmywaythru!! And Happy Birthday!! Three years is huge!!
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Julz4 I completely agree on a second opinion for pathology. When I read the pathology by MGH, it indicated I had one margin that was less than .1mm ~ unacceptable essentially ~ but the surgeon who did the surgery ....and I had a mess- 3 surgeries for a stage 1 lumpectomy, said there was no way to do it any better~ REALLY! REALLY! I have trouble with that but now it is what it is.
Saskia, I am sorry for your Rx but also love reading your posts as you have an incredible attitude. One thought for possible inquiry is a place that does take people from all over the world....Cancer Centers of America...sometimes they will fly people out and cover the cost of their treatments and flights and hotel. I know it doesn't change the stage but they have been know to have remarkable success.
Love to all on this board. When I was diagnosed this was my lifeline and I can't thank you all enough for the support and love you provide to anyone with this diagnosis.
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Susan Good to see you again. I remember your beautiful chicken paintings; are you painting and showing? Jan
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JAN69, you have a great memory. How are you doing?
It is so sweet of you to remember.
I am painting and exhibiting in Europe a lot-4 shows there this year. 3 next year.
Here is what I am up to now. Life goes on, one way or another.
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Paintingmywaythru: Beautiful. You are so talented.
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Susan, Yes I remember your art work. And you are exhibiting in Europe! How exciting! Do you travel to location each time? I think what I love the most about your art are the colors. I make free form quilts with lots of color, I'm going to study your color combos as well as the designs and subjects. What size are these pictures? And how are you doing? I've had no problems since end of treatment.
Keep posting your art. It is such a bright spot on this thread. Jan
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Jan, hello! Quilting, I love quilting.....where can I see them? Free form is often so much harder.
My works are usually 12" by 9" or a bit bigger or smaller. I have a blog at http://www.susanmedyn.com/
You can sign up for it on the right hand side of any page if you are interested.
We went to Europe 2 years ago for one of my exhibits, but haven't been able to afford to go back. It was wonderful. I am represented by a gallery in Belgium now so much is arranged through them.
Our son is in college and that eats up a lot of income so I try hard to sell my work via my blog or licensing or even cards. Actually raised $500 for breastcancer.org in October selling packs of cards online and am still getting some requests.
As to the colors..I love bright and joyful but have trouble putting down the tertiary colors. My paintings take a long time.
But it gives me joy and helps me get better at what I do.
Nice to be back here!
Here is an invite I did for the local land trust. It was for their land and sea gala I made scarves with this image and was wowed when the one I donated raised $150 for them.
Still have oncology appointments 4 times a year, but the dread is a bit less.
Went back today and read the lovely note from the dear friend of Suze35. Brought me to tears. She and so many other wonderful women have been such an amazing gift to us all~like you!
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need some hope, advice. I had two round of taxotere/ cytoxen. Had to stop due to severe hand foot syndrome.....swelling, burning, etc.
MO switched to taxol. Third one of 12 Friday. Woke up to beginning of same reaction. Not only is it unbearable, I am more scared of not going forward with chemo
I can't do adriamyacin due to secondary health issues. Anyone else on a clinical or other chemo? Rads next
Blessings and prayers
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Toby, I'm not sure how much help this is, but I did 12 weeks of Abraxane instead of Taxol. I had mild side effects only. Was mostly tired but that's it. May be worth a mention to your Onc. Good luck! HUGS!!!
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How wonderful Navymom!! My onc said he too will release me at 5 years (Aug. 2015). I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand I will be glad to be done with the checkups, on the other it will feel weird not being "watched" (and felt up!) a few times a year! Either way I am just excited to get to the 5 year mark. I will hit 5 years and my 50th birthday around the same time! I think some fabulous trip may be in order! Are you doing anything special to celebrate?Congrats to you Painting!!
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Jenjenl, just thinking about you. Did you find anything out today? Let us know.
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Thanks, im driving there now. Appt is a 140. I can't wait to see inside my bladder i think that's cool, i just pray it's nothing. My MO wants to do scans too. I'll let ya know.
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Jenjen:keep us posted. Wishing you good results.
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It is Squamous Metaplasia...inflammation and benign. Very happy about that and just hope the upcoming scans yield the same results. As usual thanks for the good thoughts, it means a lot to me. xo
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I'm praying too Jen! XOXOXO!!!!
Just saw your update. WooHoo!!!! Go and celebrate!
I'm seeing my PCP for my annual Pap smear. UGH!
Please say some prayers for me. I'm having some issues "down there" still. Still worry about some sort of mets. I have to do a breath test for SIBO in the near future also. Yak, always something! I'm so glad you got good news though!!!! I have a feeling your other scans will be just fine but do keep us posted. XO!
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JenJen, that's great news.
Lovemydobies, I hope your tests turn out okay.
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JenJen Yeah!!!!!! I hate that anxiety plus getting bad results. So happy everything turned out great.
lovemydobies: Good luck wishing the best for you!!
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Thanks ladies! My PCP did another urinalysis which came back clean so she feels like it's low estrogen and my cycle being off that's causing this burning feeling I'm having. I can't even use a low dose estrogen cream because my Onc doesn't feel comfortable doing that. Ugh.
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Could you please provide some comments/suggestions whether taking Flax Seed after treatment (chemo, surgery) is good for triple negative patient?
After treatment, my wife took one tablespoon of ground flax seed daily. But last week, during a followup meeting, the oncologist said "no Flax Seed because it contains Estrogens."
Now we are very confused here.
Also, I did some homework for Flax Seed:
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Use one tablespoon of ground flax or chia seed daily.
Flax and chia seeds are the richest sources of lignans, phytochemicals with anti-estrogenic effects which also inhibit cell growth in breast tumors.13,14 In fact, in one notable study of women who were scheduled to have breast tumors removed, half ate a flax-containing muffin and the other half ate a control muffin daily, for 32-39 days until surgery. Their tumor tissue was analyzed, and even in this short timeframe, there was significant apoptosis (tumor cell death) and reduced cell proliferation of tumor cells in the flaxseed group.1413.Sturgeon SR, Heersink JL, Volpe SL, et al: Effect of dietary flaxseed on serum levels of estrogens and androgens in postmenopausal women.Nutr Cancer 2008;60:612-618.
14.Thompson LU, Chen JM, Li T, et al: Dietary flaxseed alters tumor biological markers in postmenopausal breast cancer.Clin Cancer Res 2005;11:3828-3835.Effect of dietary flaxseed on serum levels of estrogens and androgens in postmenopausal women.
Sturgeon SR1, Heersink JL, Volpe SL, Bertone-Johnson ER, Puleo E, Stanczyk FZ, Sabelawski S, Wahala K, Kurzer MS, Bigelow C.
Author information
Abstract
Flaxseed is a rich source of dietary lignans. Experimental studies suggest lignans may exert breast cancer preventive effects through hormonal mechanisms. Our aim was to study the effects of flaxseed on serum sex hormones implicated in the development of breast cancer. Forty-eight postmenopausal women participated in a 12-wk preintervention-postintervention study. Participants consumed 7.5 g/day of ground flaxseed for the first 6 wk and 15.0 grams/day for an additional 6 wk. Nonsignificant declines were noted over the 12 wk (95% confidence intervals) for estradiol (pg/ml), estrone (pg/ml), and testosterone (pg/ml): -4.4 (-12.6 to 3.9), -3.3 (-7.7 to 1.2), -4.7 (-17.8 to 8.5), respectively. Changes tended to be more pronounced in overweight/obese women, particularly for estrone (-6.5, -11.9 to -1.2; P = .02). Our results suggest that dietary flaxseed may modestly lower serum levels of sex steroid hormones, especially in overweight/obese women.
Dietary flaxseed alters tumor biological markers in postmenopausal breast cancer.Thompson LU1, Chen JM, Li T, Strasser-Weippl K, Goss PE.
Author information
Abstract
PURPOSE:
Flaxseed, the richest source of mammalian lignan precursors, has previously been shown to reduce the growth of tumors in rats. This study examined, in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, the effects of dietary flaxseed on tumor biological markers and urinary lignan excretion in postmenopausal patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:
Patients were randomized to daily intake of either a 25 g flaxseed-containing muffin (n = 19) or a control (placebo) muffin (n = 13). At the time of diagnosis and again at definitive surgery, tumor tissue was analyzed for the rate of tumor cell proliferation (Ki-67 labeling index, primary end point), apoptosis, c-erbB2 expression, and estrogen and progesterone receptor levels. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were analyzed for lignans, and 3-day diet records were evaluated for macronutrient and caloric intake. Mean treatment times were 39 and 32 days in the placebo and flaxseed groups, respectively.
RESULTS:
Reductions in Ki-67 labeling index (34.2%; P = 0.001) and in c-erbB2 expression (71.0%; P = 0.003) and an increase in apoptosis (30.7%; P = 0.007) were observed in the flaxseed, but not in the placebo group. No significant differences in caloric and macronutrient intake were seen between groups and between pre- and posttreatment periods. A significant increase in mean urinary lignan excretion was observed in the flaxseed group (1,300%; P < 0.01) compared with placebo controls. The total intake of flaxseed was correlated with changes in c-erbB2 score (r = -0.373; P = 0.036) and apoptotic index (r = 0.495; P < 0.004).
CONCLUSION:
Dietary flaxseed has the potential to reduce tumor growth in patients with breast cancer.
Flaxseed
Other common name(s): flaxseed oil, linseed, lint bells, linum
Scientific/medical name(s): Linum usitatissimum
Description
Flax is an annual plant cultivated for its fiber, which is used in making linen. Flaxseed and its oil are used in herbal remedies.
Overview
Flaxseed and its oil have been promoted since the 1950s as a food and dietary supplement with anti-cancer properties. Most of the evidence of its ability to prevent the growth or spread of cancer has come from studies in animals. Only recently has there been some clinical evidence suggesting that flaxseed supplements may be useful in men with early-stage prostate cancer, but not all the studies have found this. Controlled clinical studies are needed to determine its usefulness in preventing or treating prostate cancer and other forms of cancer in humans. It is important to know which studies were looking at whole flaxseed or flaxseed oil, since the lignans and fiber are only available in the flaxseeds and flaxseed meal, not the oil.
How is it promoted for use?
Herbalists promote the use of flaxseed for constipation, abdominal problems, breathing problems, sore throat, eczema, menstrual problems, and arthritis.
The oil extracted from flaxseeds is said to lower cholesterol levels, boost the immune system, and prevent cancer. Flaxseed oil is high in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that is thought to have beneficial effects against cancer when consumed (see our document called Omega-3 Fatty Acids). Omega-3 fatty acids can also be found fish and fish oils, as well as in some other plant oils.
Recently, attention has focused on the flaxseed itself, which is a rich source of lignans, compounds that can act as anti-estrogens or as weak estrogens. It is thought that lignans may play a role in preventing estrogen-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer and other types of cancer. Lignans may also function as antioxidants and, though mechanisms that are not yet fully understood, may slow cell growth. When flaxseed is eaten, the lignans are activated by bacteria in the intestine. Lignans are not present in the flaxseed oil.
What does it involve?
Flaxseed is available in the form of flour, meal, and seeds. It may be found in some multigrain breads, cereals, breakfast bars, and muffins. The toasted seeds are sometimes mixed into bread dough or sprinkled over salads, yogurt, or cereal. Flaxseed meal can be used in the same ways. Flaxseed oil is available in many health food stores in liquid form and is sometimes mixed into cottage cheese or other foods. The oil is also available in softgel capsules.
What is the history behind it?
Flaxseed was cultivated by the Babylonians in 3000 BC. In the 1950s, a German biochemist named Johanna Budwig first promoted flaxseed oil as a treatment through a diet she devised for cancer patients. The diet was a strict regimen that avoided sugar, animal fats, salad oil, meats, butter, and margarine. The patients were given flaxseed oil mixed with cottage cheese and milk, and meals high in fruits, vegetables, and fiber. She claimed that within 3 months, some patients on this diet had smaller tumors, some had no tumors left, and all felt better.
What is the evidence?
Most of the evidence for an anti-cancer effect of flaxseed and flaxseed oil comes from research using laboratory animals or cells grown in laboratory dishes. In one cell culture study, flaxseed lignans reduced stickiness and movement of breast cancer cells, both properties related to the cancer's ability to spread or metastasize. Researchers have also found that mice fed flaxseed had reduced formation, growth, or spread of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. Flaxseed reduced pre-cancerous colon polyps in one study of rats, but in another study showed no effect on intestinal cancer in mice. In a 2007 report, flaxseed reduced growth of breast cancer cells in mice and enhanced the effectiveness of tamoxifen, a standard drug for hormonal therapy. Since then, other studies have looked at tamoxifen and flaxseed in animals, but human studies are still needed to find out if the effects hold true for humans.
There have been some small studies of the effects of flaxseed in humans. A small study of 15 men found that a low-fat diet supplemented with flaxseed lowered their blood prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and slowed the growth of benign prostate cells. Another study of 25 men with prostate cancer found that a low-fat diet along with ground flaxseed reduced serum testosterone, slowed the growth rate of cancer cells, and increased the death rate of cancer cells. A 2008 study looked at men with prostate cancer who were scheduled for surgery. Researchers gave some men flaxseed while others ate their usual diets; some were put on low fat diets. The men who got the flaxseed had slower cancer growth than those who did not, regardless of total fat intake. This was a fairly small study that did not look at survival or relapse rates. A 2011 study that compared flaxseed and low fat diets in men with prostate cancer found that a low fat diet, but not flaxseed, helped lower certain factors in the blood that are linked to prostate cancer growth.
More research in humans is needed to determine the usefulness of flaxseed in cancer treatment and prevention. Animal and laboratory studies show promise, but human studies are conflicting. Further studies are needed to be sure which results apply to humans.
Are there any possible problems or complications?
This product is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce drugs (which must be tested before being sold), the companies that make supplements are not required to prove to the Food and Drug Administration that their supplements are safe or effective, as long as they don't claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any specific disease.
Some such products may not contain the amount of the herb or substance that is on the label, and some may include other substances (contaminants). Actual amounts per dose may vary between brands or even between different batches of the same brand. In 2007, the FDA wrote new rules to improve the quality of manufacturing for dietary supplements and the proper listing of supplement ingredients. But these rules do not address the safety of the ingredients or their effects on health.
Most such supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions below should be considered incomplete.
The immature pods of flaxseed are poisonous and should never be used. It is important for those taking flax seed oil to be sure that it is labeled for human consumption.
Some possible side effects include diarrhea, gas, and nausea. Flaxseed oil should not be used with other laxatives or stool softeners. People who have inflammatory bowel disease or narrowing of the intestine, esophagus, or stomach should avoid flaxseed. Flaxseed is also not recommended by some doctors for people with diabetes.
Some medicines and supplements may not be absorbed properly if they are taken at the same time as flaxseed. For this reason, some doctors recommend taking medicines 1 or 2 hours before or after taking flaxseed.
Flaxseed may also interfere with x-rays taken after a barium enema, and some doctors recommend avoiding taking flaxseed before undergoing this test. In addition, the potential interactions between flaxseed and other drugs and herbs should be considered. Some of these combinations may be dangerous. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you are taking.
A few severe allergic reactions to flaxseed have been reported. Those allergic to other plants may be more likely to be allergic to flax.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.
Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil can spoil if they are not kept refrigerated. They should be protected from light, heat, air, and moisture.
To learn more
More information from your American Cancer SocietyThe following information on complementary and alternative therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on our Web site (www.cancer.org) or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-227-2345).
Dietary Supplements: What Is Safe?
The ACS Operational Statement on Complementary and Alternative Methods of Cancer Management
Complementary and Alternative Methods and Cancer
Learning About New Ways to Treat Cancer
Learning About New Ways to Prevent Cancer
References
Basch E, Bent S, Collins J, Dacey C, Hammerness P, Harrison M, Smith M, Szapary P, Ulbricht C, Vora M, Weissner W. Natural Standard Resource Collaboration. Flax and flaxseed oil (Linum usitatissimum): a review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2007;5:92-105.
Bergman Jungestrom M, Thompson LU, Dabrosin C. Flaxseed and its lignans inhibit estradiol-induced growth, angiogenesis, and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor in human breast cancer xenografts in vivo. Clin Cancer Res. 2007;13:1061-1067.
Chen J, Hui E, Ip T, Thompson LU. Dietary flaxseed enhances the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on the growth of estrogen-dependent human breast cancer (mcf-7) in nude mice. Clin Cancer Res. 2004;10:7703-7711.
Chen J, Power KA, Mann J, Cheng A, Thompson LU. Flaxseed alone or in combination with tamoxifen inhibits MCF-7 breast tumor growth in ovariectomized athymic mice with high circulating levels of estrogen. Exp Biol Med.2007;232:1071-1080.
Chen J, Stavro PM, Thompson LU. Dietary flaxseed inhibits human breast cancer growth and metastasis and downregulates expression of insulin-like growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor. Nutr Cancer. 2002;43:187-192.
Chen J, Wang L, Thompson LU. Flaxseed and its components reduce metastasis after surgical excision of solid human breast tumor in nude mice. Cancer Lett. 2006;234:168-175.
Demark-Wahnefried W, Polascik TJ, George SL, et al. Flaxseed supplementation (not dietary fat restriction) reduces prostate cancer proliferation rates in men presurgery. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008 Dec;17(12):3577-3587.
Demark-Wahnefried W, Price DT, Polascik TJ, Robertson CN, Anderson EE, Paulson DF, Walther PJ, Gannon M, Vollmer RT. Pilot study of dietary fat restriction and flaxseed supplementation in men with prostate cancer before surgery: exploring the effects on hormonal levels, prostate-specific antigen, and histopathologic features. Urology.2001;58:47-52.
Demark-Wahnefried W, Robertson CN, Walther PJ, Polascik TJ, Paulson DF, Vollmer RT. Pilot study to explore effects of low-fat, flaxseed-supplemented diet on proliferation of benign prostatic epithelium and prostate-specific antigen. Urology. 2004;63:900-904.
Haggans CJ, Hutchins AM, Olson BA, Thomas W, Martini MC, Slavin JL. Effect of flaxseed consumption on urinary estrogen metabolites in postmenopausal women. Nutr Cancer. 1999;33:188-195.
Heymach JV, Shackleford TJ, Tran HT, et al. Effect of low-fat diet on plasma levels of NF-{kappa}B-regulated inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors in men with prostate cancer. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2011 Jul 15.
Lin X, Gingrich JR, Bao W, Li J, Haroon ZA, Demark-Wahnefried W. Effect of flaxseed supplementation on prostatic carcinoma in transgenic mice. Urology. 2002;60:919-924.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Web site. Flaxseed. http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69220.cfm. Accessed July 20, 2011.
Natural Standard. Herbal/plant therapies: flaxseed and flaxseed oil (linum usitatissimum). Complementary/Integrative Medicine Education Resources, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Web site. Accessed at www.mdanderson.org/departments/cimer/display.cfm?id=0D86E843-44DF-4766-9D743BA1FE8B9877&method=displayFull on June 4, 2008. Content no longer available.
Yan L, Yee JA, Li D, McGuire MH, Thompson LU. Dietary flaxseed supplementation and experimental metastasis of melanoma cells in mice. Cancer Lett. 1998;124:181-186.
Note: This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical situation.
Flaxseeds & Breast Cancer Survival
- Dr. Michael Greger May 22, 2013
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of flaxseeds in breast cancer patients found that flaxseeds appear to have the potential to reduce tumor growth in just a matter of weeks. Scientists believe this is due to a class of phytonutrients known as lignans, which are present in flaxseeds at levels up to 800 times other plant foods.
Lignans can be thought of as the Western equivalent of the isoflavone phytoestrogens found in soy foods popular in traditional Asian diets, as they share many purported anti-cancer mechanisms. Since soy food consumption is associated with both preventing breast cancer and prolonging breast cancer survival, one might expect the same to be found for lignans. In Flaxseeds & Breast Cancer Prevention I covered the population-based, in-vitro, and clinical evidence supporting prevention, but what about for women already diagnosed with the dreaded disease?
Three studies were recently published that followed a total of thousands of women diagnosed with breast cancer. The first study from New York, reported substantially reduced risks of overall mortality and especially breast cancer mortality associated with higher lignan intakes in postmenopausal women.
The next population study was out of Italy. At surgery, when the women were getting their primary breast tumors removed, they had some blood drawn; within 5 years those who had lower circulating levels of lignans were significantly more likely to die from their cancer coming back than those with more lignans in their bloodstream. They concluded, "Lignans might play an important role in reducing all-cause and cancer-specific mortality of the patients operated on for breast cancer."
The latest and largest study to date was performed in Germany. Postmenopausal patients with breast cancer who had high blood lignan levels appeared to have better survival, and the higher the better. You can see the survival curve in my 3-min video Flaxseeds and Breast Cancer Survival: Epidemiological Evidence. Those who had the most lignans in their blood lived the longest and tended to live the longest disease free.
The population data looked so promising that researchers decided to put lignans to the test by feeding women flaxseeds, the most concentrated source of lignans, to see what would happen.
One of the ways the chemotherapy drug tamoxifen works is by boosting the levels of angiogenesis inhibitors like endostatin, which is a protein the body makes to try to starve tumors of their blood supply. Using a technique called microdialysis, you can stick a catheter into a woman's breast and suck out some of the fluid bathing the breast cells. If you give women tamoxifen for 6 weeks, the levels of endostatin within the breast tend to go up, and the same thing happens when you instead add three and a half tablespoons of ground flaxseeds to their daily diet. As you can see by clicking on the video above, the flaxseed doesn't seem as powerful as the chemo, but the results were so exciting that researchers undertook a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of flaxseeds in breast cancer patients.
Breast cancer patients were randomized into either the treatment or the placebo group; either a flaxseed-containing muffin or a control placebo muffin every day between the time of their first biopsy and surgery. Researchers then had tumor samples before and after about a month of flaxseeds or no flaxseeds. Those lucky enough to be randomized into the flax group saw, on average, their tumor cell proliferation go down, cancer cell death go up, and their c-erbB2 score go down (a marker of cancer aggressiveness and potential for forming metastases and spreading).
The researchers concluded: "Dietary flaxseed has the potential to reduce tumor growth in patients with breast cancer. If the therapeutic index seen in this short-term study can be sustained over a long-term period, flaxseed, which is inexpensive and readily available, may be a potential dietary alternative or adjunct to currently used breast cancer drugs."
For more on breast cancer survival, see:
- Breast Cancer Survival and Lignan Intake
- Breast Cancer Survival and Soy
- Breast Cancer Survival and Trans Fat
- Breast Cancer Survival, Butterfat, and Chicken
What about the role of flaxseeds in preventing breast cancer in the first place? See my video Flaxseeds & Breast Cancer Prevention.
A study similar to this was also carried out in prostate cancer patients: Flaxseed vs. Prostate Cancer.
I have some more videos coming up on the role diet plays in angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels to enable tumors to grow, but I have touched on it already in Cancer as an Autoimmune Disease and How Tumors Use Meat to Grow: Xeno-Autoantibodies.
This is the final installment of my latest video series on flax. Feel free to check out the role flaxseeds may play in helping diabetes and sensitive skin.
Flaxseeds and Breast Cancer
Question
Should patients with Estrogen Receptor Positive (ER+) breast cancer avoid flaxseed due to the potential "phytoestrogenic" role of lignans?
AnswerTo understand potential effects of flaxseed and how they may affect breast cancer, it helps to understand what flaxseeds are, and why some consider them a concern for women with a history of breast cancer.
Flaxseed and phytoestrogens
Flaxseed is the richest dietary source of lignans, a type of phytoestrogen. A phytoestrogen is a plant nutrient that is somewhat similar to the female hormone estrogen. Due to this similarity, lignans may have estrogenic and/or anti-estrogenic effects in the body. Lignans are the nutrients that are at the center of the controversy regarding whether it is safe for women with breast cancer to eat flaxseeds.
Phytoestrogens are found in a variety of foods, including soy, flaxseeds, other nuts and seeds, whole grains, and some vegetables and fruit. Most of the research regarding flaxseed and breast cancer focuses on the lignans found in flaxseeds, and their potential for weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects in a woman's body.
Phytoestrogens and breast cancer growth
Phytoestrogens are somewhat similar to human estrogen, and some health experts have speculated that phytoestrogens might even act like human estrogen in the body. This suggestion has raised concerns about whether phytoestrogens may not be safe for people with a history of hormone-linked cancers, such as prostate cancer, endometrial cancer, or ER positive breast cancer.
Lignans, which are the type of phytoestrogens in flaxseed, can change estrogen metabolism. In postmenopausal women, lignans can cause the body to produce less active forms of estrogen. This is believed to potentially reduce breast cancer risk. There is evidence that adding ground flaxseeds into the diet decreases cell growth in breast tissue as well. Again, this would be the type of change that would be expected to decrease breast cancer risk.
All cells have the ability to go through a process called apoptosis, or programmed cell death. It is believed that through this process, the body can prevent damaged cells from reproducing, and eventually developing into cancer. Researchers have shown that flaxseed sprouts can increase apoptosis (programmed cell death). Some cell and animal studies have shown that two specific phytoestrogens found in lignans, named enterolactone and enterodiol, may help suppress breast tumor growth.
Animal studies have shown that both flaxseed oil and lignans can reduce breast tumor growth and spread, even for ER- cancer cells. This result suggests that flaxseeds may have anti-cancer benefits that are unrelated to any type of effect on estrogen or estrogen metabolism.
Phytoestrogens and breast cancer treatment
Tamoxifen is a medication known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator, or SERM. Tamoxifen often is prescribed as part of the treatment for ER+ breast cancer. Tamoxifen binds with estrogen receptors, without activating growth in breast cancer cells. In this way, tamoxifen prevents a women's own estrogen from binding with these cells. As a result, breast cancer cell growth is blocked
One study in mice concluded that flaxseed inhibited the growth of human estrogen-dependent breast cancer, and strengthened the tumor-inhibitory effect of tamoxifen. Multiple other studies with mice have shown that dietary flaxseed works with tamoxifen to inhibit breast tumor growth.
Researchers don't yet know if these results will apply to women with breast cancer, but this approach—adding flaxseeds to the diet—looks promising. And several studies in women have shown that higher intake of lignans, the key phytoestrogen in flaxseeds, is associated with reduced risk of breast cancer.Further, lignans in the diet are associated with less aggressive tumor characteristics in women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. In other words, women who have already been eating lignans at the time of diagnosis seem to have tumors that are less aggressive.
If you plan to add flaxseeds into your nutrition plan, please talk to your doctor or dietitian first, to make sure this is a good choice for you.
Bottom line
While research has shown some benefits with regards to ER+ breast cancer cell death and prevention of metastases within mice and cellular models, it is recommended that human intake should be through diet only, not supplementation. Only moderate amounts of ground flaxseeds, up to two to three tablespoons per day at most, should be eaten.Always consult your health care team prior to making any changes to your diet or the dietary supplements you are using.
The original question and answer were generously donated by Diana Dyer, MS, RD a cancer survivor, registered dietitian, organic garlic farmer, and the author of "A Dietitian's Cancer Story: Information & Inspiration for Recovery & Healing from a 3-time Cancer Survivor.
Question and Answer updated by Amy DiCioccio, RD, CSO, CD-N on behalf of the ON-DPGReferences
- Flax Council of Canada. Accessed March 24, 2013.
- Flaxseed. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Accessed March 24, 2013.
- Cunnane SC, Ganguli S, Menard C, et al. High alpha-linolenic acid flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum): some nutritional properties in humans. Br J Nutr 1993;69:443-53.
- Cunnane SC, Hamadeh MJ, Liede AC, et al. Nutritional attributes of traditional flaxseed in healthy young adults. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;61:62-8.
- Patisaul HB, Jefferson W. The pros and cons of phytoestrogens. Front Neuroendocrinol. 2010;31(4):400-419.
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- Adlercreutz H, Fotsis T, Bannwart C, et al. Determination of urinary lignans and phytoestrogens metabolites, potential antiestrogens and anticarcinogens, in urine of women on various habitual diets. J Steroid Biochem 1986;25:791-7.
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- Tamoxifen. U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Accessed March 24, 2013.
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Toby,
Taxol and I DID NOT get along! I felt like I had someone tearing my body apart from the inside. At one point I actually called my doctor because my back hurt so bad I thought I had kidney failure. Two hours later I was convinced my ovaries were imploding....it was bad and only my first dose! Not to mention I had so much pain in my nail beds I was afraid to pick anything up or walk.
My oncologist reduced my dose to 80 percent and I breezed through the remaining treatments.
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thanks so much!!!! I will see him Friday
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To my TN sisters, I am so grateful to have found this site, and for all of your support, kindness and understanding. I am not sure what I would have done this last year with out you all. May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!
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Math666= I have been taking flax seed for years in my yogurt in the morning. Two Tablespoons. For what you posted it appears to be only a positive effect. Did I misinterpret something? Now I am more confused since your MO said to stop. I have not taken any since I began treatment. They told me to stop all my herbal supplements and due to funky taste buds I could not tolerated the flax seed anymore. I plan on taken them again after treatment when my taste buds straighten out. If you have anymore info could you please pass on. I am going to ask my MO on Monday.
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Good morning , everyone. Thank you for all the wonderful, heartfelt congratulations. It has been a blessing to be on this site and this thread in particular. We have all bee through the mud with each other and we have all shared some joys too.
I know the feeling of being"let go" can be a little scary. I felt like that when treatment was over...Just hanging around waiting for the other shoe to drop. I had my share fo scares while down the road to the 5 year mark. This cancer thing just never quite leaves your mind....I look at it as a way to keep me safe and on my toes. A good reminder to live a life of healthy habits but not to forget to have fun and let loose sometimes too!
To celebrate my 5 year mark I did do something that surprised some people. I bought a car. I have always felt that cars were for function...getting where you and your family needed to be. Safe -reliable-affordable. My old car was 10 years old and was starting show signs of its age and wear and tear (it had been it by a deer, rear ended while stopped at a red light and hit while unoccupied and parked in front of a store) So I decided it was time for a nice "big girl car" ( I am 54 years old!) So I picked out a beautiful RED cadillac. BIG BIG deal for me to have such a pretty car. Figured I had been through enough shit in my life and it was time to treat myself to something good. I finally felt confident that I would live longer than the loan that I took out to pay for it.!!!!
Jenjen....glad to hear your B9 nears. And glad to see some of your gals popping in to say hello! I try to visit every few days to read. but i don't always post a comment. For those going through treatment and those still struggling with the after effects. I feel for you and pray often that all will be better soon.
Grateful for all of you here on BCO. Got me through some awful times and now some good stuff too.
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Congratulations on 5 years NavyMom. Mine is coming up in May.
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