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Moderate Physical Activity Mediates the Association between White Matter Lesion Volume and Memory Recall in Breast Cancer Survivors.
Cooke, GE, Wetter, NC, Banducci, SE, Mackenzie, MJ, Zuniga, KE, Awick, EA, Roberts, SA, Sutton, BP, McAuley, E, Kramer, AF
PloS one. 2016;11(2):e0149552
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As survival rates of breast cancer increase, the long-term cognitive effects of disease and required treatment are emerging. The underlying pathways of cancer-related cognitive impairment involve accelerated aging of the brain, low levels of physical activity and decreased cognitive function, however these links have not been adequately explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between physical activity, white matter lesion volume and cognition in 30 breast cancer survivors and 28 age-matched controls. The results of this study showed that brain structure significantly predicted cognitive function. This study provided evidence suggesting that moderate physical activity may help reduce the treatment related risks associated with breast cancer.
Abstract
Increased survival rates among breast cancer patients have drawn significant attention to consequences of both the presence of cancer, and the subsequent treatment-related impact on the brain. The incidence of breast cancer and the effects of treatment often result in alterations in the microstructure of white matter and impaired cognitive functioning. However, physical activity is proving to be a successful modifiable lifestyle factor in many studies that could prove beneficial to breast cancer survivors. This study investigates the link between white matter lesion volume, moderate physical activity, and cognition in breast cancer survivors following treatment compared to non-cancer age-matched controls. Results revealed that brain structure significantly predicted cognitive function via mediation of physical activity in breast cancer survivors. Overall, the study provided preliminary evidence suggesting moderate physical activity may help reduce the treatment related risks associated with breast cancer, including changes to WM integrity and cognitive impairment.
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Adolescent diet and subsequent serum hormones, breast density, and bone mineral density in young women: results of the Dietary Intervention Study in Children follow-up study.
Dorgan, JF, Liu, L, Klifa, C, Hylton, N, Shepherd, JA, Stanczyk, FZ, Snetselaar, LG, Van Horn, L, Stevens, VJ, Robson, A, et al
Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. 2010;19(6):1545-56
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Population and animal studies suggest that fat in the diet may have an influence on the development of breast cancer, but the results of studies in humans are inconsistent. This randomised controlled trial aimed to determine the effects of a lower-fat diet during childhood and adolescence on markers associated with breast cancer risk in adults. Female participants were initially recruited at age 8-10 years old, as part of a study to test the effects of lower-fat diets on cholesterol levels in children. The study diet limited total fat intake to 28% of calories (<8% saturated fat, <9% polyunsaturated fat, remainder monounsaturated), cholesterol was limited to 150mg/day and consumption of fibre was encouraged. The children followed the diet for 7 years, when the trial was terminated. This follow-up study was conducted 9 years later, when the participants were aged 25 to 29 years old. After adjusting for current diet, the lower-fat diet group had significantly higher oestradiol levels and bone mineral density. Progesterone concentrations and breast density did not differ between the two groups. The authors concluded that consumption of a lower-fat diet during adolescence does not appear to affect factors associated with breast cancer risk. Current diet may be more important than adolescent diet in determining hormone levels in premenopausal women.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent diet is hypothesized to influence breast cancer risk. We evaluated the long-term effects of an intervention to lower fat intake among adolescent girls on biomarkers that are related to breast cancer risk in adults. METHODS A follow-up study was conducted on 230 girls who participated in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children (DISC), in which healthy, prepubertal, 8 to 10 year olds were randomly assigned to usual care or to a behavioral intervention that promoted a reduced fat diet. Participants were 25 to 29 years old at follow-up visits. All tests of statistical significance are two-sided. RESULTS In analyses that did not take account of diet at the time of the follow-up visit, the only statistically significant treatment group difference was higher bone mineral content in intervention group participants compared with usual care group participants; their mean bone mineral contents were 2,444 and 2,377 g, respectively. After adjustment for current diet, the intervention group also had statistically significantly higher bone mineral density and luteal phase serum estradiol concentrations. Serum progesterone concentrations and breast density did not differ by treatment group in unadjusted or adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS Results do not support the hypothesis that consumption of a lower fat diet during adolescence reduces breast cancer risk via effects on subsequent serum estradiol and progesterone levels, breast density, or bone mineral density. It remains unclear, however, if the results are specific to the DISC intervention or are more broadly applicable. IMPACT Modest reductions in fat intake during adolescence are unlikely to lower later breast cancer risk via long-term effects on the biomarkers measured.
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Dietary flaxseed alters tumor biological markers in postmenopausal breast cancer.
Thompson, LU, Chen, JM, Li, T, Strasser-Weippl, K, Goss, PE
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. 2005;11(10):3828-35
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High levels of the hormone oestrogen are linked with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Plant lignans have similar chemical structures to oestrogen and may block the action of oestrogen in breast cancer cells. Flaxseed (also known as linseed) is a rich source of lignan precursors and has been shown to reduce tumour growth in rats. Therefore, it is thought that flaxseed might be effective in cancer treatment and prevention. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined the effects of dietary flaxseed on tumour growth in postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Patients were given either a muffin containing 25g of flaxseed or a control muffin, every day from the time of the initial biopsy until undergoing surgery to remove the tumours. They continued to eat their normal diet. The group that ate the flaxseed muffins experienced significant reductions of between 34 and 71% in various markers of tumour growth, and a significant increase in apoptosis of 30%. The control group did not experience any significant changes in these markers. The authors concluded that eating flaxseed has the potential to reduce tumour growth in patients with breast cancer.
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.
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Effects of alcohol on insulin-like growth factor I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 in postmenopausal women.
Lavigne, JA, Baer, DJ, Wimbrow, HH, Albert, PS, Brown, ED, Judd, JT, Campbell, WS, Giffen, CA, Dorgan, JF, Hartman, TJ, et al
The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2005;81(2):503-7
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Both alcohol and the endocrine hormone insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) have been linked to increased breast cancer risk. However, the link with breast cancer is stronger in pre-menopausal women but most studies have not distinguished between pre and post-menopausal individuals. This randomly controlled, crossover study looked at how IGF-1 and its major binding protein IGFBP-3 were affected by alcohol in 31 pre-menopausal women, it also considered if levels were affected by the menstrual cycle. The study concluded that there is a link between alcohol and the reduction of IGF-1 but no effect on IGFBP-3 They also found that IGF-1 serum levels significantly increase during the later stages of the menstruation cycle regardless of alcohol intake. Further studies are needed to understand the balance of alcohol intake and how that alters an increase or decrease in breast cancer risk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations, frequently adjusted for IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), have been associated with increased risk of several types of cancer, including colon, prostate, and breast. Studies have suggested that alcohol may affect IGF-I or IGFBP-3; however, controlled feeding studies to assess alcohol's effects on IGF-I or IGFBP-3 have not been conducted. OBJECTIVE To determine whether chronic, moderate alcohol intake affects serum IGF-I or IGFBP-3 concentrations, we performed a controlled, crossover feeding study. DESIGN Fifty-three postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to consume 0 g (control), 15 g (one drink), or 30 g (2 drinks) alcohol daily for 8 wk and were rotated through the other 2 intake levels in random order. All foods and beverages were provided during the intervention. Individuals were monitored and calories adjusted to maintain constant weight, and serum was collected at the end of each diet period. RESULTS Compared with the effects of 0 g alcohol/d, IGF-I concentrations were nearly unchanged by 15 g alcohol/d (0.8%; 95% CI: -3.2%, 3.5%) but decreased significantly by 4.9% (95% CI: -8.0%, -1.6%) with 30 g alcohol/d. IGFBP-3 concentrations significantly increased by 3.0% (95% CI: 0.4%, 5.6%) with 15 g alcohol/d but did not increase significantly with 30 g/d (1.8%; 95% CI: -0.9%, 4.5%). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first published controlled diet study to find that in postmenopausal women, when weight is kept constant, alcohol consumption reduces the amount of serum IGF-I potentially available for receptor binding. These findings suggest that the effect of alcohol intake should be considered in studies of IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and cancer in postmenopausal women.
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Effects of a 2-year randomized soy intervention on sex hormone levels in premenopausal women.
Maskarinec, G, Franke, AA, Williams, AE, Hebshi, S, Oshiro, C, Murphy, S, Stanczyk, FZ
Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. 2004;13(11 Pt 1):1736-44
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Countries that have a high consumption of soy, such as Japan and China, tend to have lower breast cancer rates. Soy contains isoflavones, phytoestrogens which may have oestrogenic and antieostrogenic effects. The aim of this trial was to examine the effect of soy foods on menstrual cycle length and circulating sex hormone levels. 189 healthy premenopausal women completed the 2-year study, during which the treatment group consumed two daily servings of soy foods (tofu, soy milk, roasted soy nuts, soy protein powder or soy protein bars) containing a total of 50 mg of isoflavones. The control group maintained their regular diet. Blood samples were taken 5 days after ovulation in months 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24. Soy did not have any significant effects on the levels of circulating sex hormones or length of menstrual cycle. The authors concluded that any preventative effects of soy on breast cancer risk may be mediated by mechanisms other than its effect on circulating sex hormone levels.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Several epidemiologic studies have described protective effects of soy consumption against breast cancer. The goal of this trial among premenopausal women was to examine the effect of soy foods on menstrual cycle length and circulating sex hormone levels. METHODS This 2-year dietary intervention randomized 220 healthy premenopausal women. The intervention group consumed two daily servings of soy foods containing approximately 50 mg of isoflavones; the control group maintained their regular diet. Five blood samples (obtained in months 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24) were taken 5 days after ovulation as determined by an ovulation kit. The serum samples were analyzed for estrone, estradiol, sex hormone binding globulin, androstenedione, and progesterone by immunoassay. RESULTS At baseline, both groups had similar demographic, anthropometric, and nutritional characteristics. The dropout rates of 15.6% (17 of 109) in the intervention group and 12.6% (14 of 111) in the control group did not differ significantly. According to soy intake logs, 24-hour recalls, and urinary isoflavone excretion, the women closely adhered to the study regimen. Menstrual cycles became slightly shorter in both groups but did not differ by group. Mixed general linear models indicated no significant intervention effect on any of the serum hormones. However, androstenedione and progesterone decreased significantly over time in both groups. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that the preventive effects of soy on breast cancer risk in premenopausal women may not be mediated by circulating sex hormone levels. Different mechanisms of actions or effects of exposure earlier in life are alternate hypotheses that require further investigation.