Sreemoyee Chatterjee
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Written By: Sreemoyee Chatterjee | Updated : July 16, 2018 6:14 PM IST
With a significant prevalence of breast cancer in Indian women as high as 25.8 per 100,000 women and mortality rate as much as 12.7 per 100,000 women, according to recent reports, breast cancer is an inevitable concern in India. While we all know breast cancer is the result of unchecked propagation of malignant tissue within the breast, what we tend to overlook is the primary role played by 'local environment' in advancement of breast cancer.
Local environment and cancer cells the direct link
Researchers from the Biophysical Society have found that with more stiffening of the surrounding tissues, the breast cancer cells become more hostile.
According to experts, most drugs available in today's market target the breast cancer cells but end up disregarding the surrounding local environment including the surrounding tissues. It has been obtained that cancer cells and their local environment are deeply connected. Hence, in case of a tumour development, both the cancer cells and the surrounding tissues undergo prominent physical and chemical changes.
Deep Parikh, a doctoral candidate from Stevens Institute of Technology who is studying the connection between breast cancer cells and their local environment, said: "Prior attempts to clarify the interactions between breast cancer cells and the local environment were mainly done on artificial smooth surfaces, yielding misleading indications. I'm studying how the cancerous microenvironment, especially the physical attributes of tissue stiffness and rigidity, controls cancer progression."
"During tumor development the local environment undergoes significant chemical and physical alterations that are regulated by both cancer cells and the cells surrounding the tumor," he added.
Managing breast cancer with home remedies
While more common treatment of breast cancer includes surgical intervention, radiation therapy, systematic treatment that are done through the mouth or directly via bloodstream and the latest biological therapy using the body's immunity to fight cancer, here are some home remedies that you can try out to keep a check on the stiffening of surrounding local tissues and prevent breast cancer.
Garlic: Alkyl sulfur compounds present in the garlic leaves have certain antibiotic properties, making garlic an active anti-agent of cancer as per a study conducted by National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. It boosts up immunity cells against cancer cells. That is why, it is always advisable to eat raw garlic instead of cooked ones.
Broccoli: The linamarase gene present in brocolli can get into cancer cells, break into cyanide and efficiently destroy the tumourous cells.
Grapes: A bunch of grapes are all full of proanthocyanidins, a compound that helps in curbing estrogen production in the body and effectively treats breast cancer, showed several clinical trials conducted on patients. A glass of grape juice can increase anti-tumour activity and can be used as a supplementary treatment for breast cancer.
Green Tea: Green tea is very efficient in preventing breast cancer formation, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin D: Consuming Vitamin D rich food like milk, eggs and cod liver oil go a long way in lowering risk of breast cancer. However, avoid food like cheese and yogurt.
Lignans: Seeds of sunflowers, cashews, strawberries, flaxseeds and peanuts that contain lignans compound can help in avoiding estrogen dependent tumours and can help avert breast cancer risk.
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