Editorial Team
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Editorial Team | Published : June 19, 2014 11:29 AM IST
The world of drugs and medicines is extremely fascinating. The fact that we do not know all about them and what they can actually do for us is fascinating.
There may soon be a drug that could lower your cholesterol levels and also treat breast cancer. Researchers have shown that a compound initially developed as a cholesterol-fighting molecule can also kill cancerous cells. 'The compound exhibited anti-tumour properties in both human samples, which were outside the body, and in samples that were administered by injection into the mice,' explained Salman Hyder, professor of biomedical sciences at University of Missouri in the US. (Read: 12 risk factors for breast cancer you should know)
'In both cases, proteins that cause tumours to grow were eliminated, leading to more aggressive cell death,' Hyder added. When administered to human breast cancer cells, the compound was effective in reducing breast cancer cell growth and often caused cancer cell death, the findings showed. The cholesterol-lowering drug the researchers tested destroyed an estrogen receptor - a protein which encourages the tumour cells to grow. (Read: 6 breast cancer symptoms you should never ignore)
Following injection of the compound in mice with breast cancer, the molecule was found to be effective at killing breast cancer cells by reducing the presence of estrogen receptors in tumour cells. Although tumour cells may initially respond to therapies, most eventually develop resistance which causes breast cancer cells to grow and spread. Cholesterol also can contribute to the development of anti-hormone resistance because it is converted into hormones in tumour cells. Therefore, these cholesterol-forming pathways are attractive therapeutic targets for the treatment of breast cancer. 'Further clinical testing can lead to a drug that has the dual purpose of fighting high cholesterol and cancer,' Hyder noted. The study appeared in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. (Read: 'Breast cancer is not preventable' (Expert interview))
How to detect breast cancer early?
Breast cancer is a condition that is quickly becoming a very common occurrence, and experts say that although a person might be genetically predisposed to the condition, there are steps that can be taken to catch it early on. Everything from when you go for the screening tests, whom you go to and how often you get the tests done matter in the process of eliminating the possibility of suffering from the dreaded disease. In this post we give you 10 tips that you should keep handy while getting tested for breast cancer.
Choose the right man for the job!
You can get a mammography at any hospital but getting the right diagnosis after the test is what is worth its weight in gold. Choose a doctor who is experienced in reading mammography and has worked with a number of patients previously. His/her experience gives them the added advantage of identifying any problems in your reports. This is where an inexperienced physician may fail.
Pick digital over conventional
A digital mammography is much more accurate when it comes to detecting any problems in women with dense breast tissue especially found in women below the age of 40. Moreover digital scans do a better job of detecting cancers when compared to the traditional film mammography.
Schedulethe date foryour test carefully
most women put off going for a mammography because they are scared about how painful the test is likely to be. But remember that a mammography should not be painful. To help reduce the amount of pain try to schedule your test after your menses (monthly periods), so that the breast tissues are less sensitive. During the test if you do experience pain and discomfort, be sure to tell the technician about it so that he/she can help you feel more comfortable. If the test has really gone off badly, you could try taking over-the-counter medication to help relieve some of the pain and inflammation.
Don't let the fear of cancer stop you
If you fear the results of your mammography, know that you are not alone. A large number of women, fear what their test results could reveal but that is no reason to not go for the test. If your results are somewhat out of the ordinary, you may be called to repeat the test. But this in no way means you have cancer. Remember that not all abnormalities mean cancer. Read more about 10 tips to detect breast cancer early
With inputs from IANS
You may also like to read:
For more articles on cancer, visit our cancer section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.
