High folic acid may increase breast cancer risk

Most women are adviced to have folic acid, especially during pregnancy. Women need this supplement during their pregnancy to help their baby grow properly. But not this may not be the best plan of action. A new study has found that high amounts of folic acid supplements can actually be detrimental and lead to breast cancer.

'The experiment in my lab has shown for the first time that folic acid supplements in doses 2.5-5 times the daily requirement 'significantly promotes' the growth of existing pre-cancerous or cancerous cells in the mammary glands of rats,' said Young-In Kim, a physician and researcher at St Michael's Hospital here.

Although some studies have found it may offer protection against breast cancer, recent studies have suggested that taking high amounts of folic acid may increase the risk. 'This is a critically important issue because breast cancer patients and survivors in North America are exposed to high levels of folic acid through folic acid fortification in food and widespread use of vitamin supplements after a cancer diagnosis,' Kim added.

Cancer patients and survivors in North America have a high prevalence of multivitamin and supplement use, with breast cancer patients and survivors having the highest prevalence, said the study published in the journal PLOS ONE. Women are routinely advised to take folic acid supplements before becoming pregnant and while pregnant to prevent neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.

What are the causes of breast cancer?

Unhealthy style, stress, imbalanced food, irregular sleeping hours, etc. are some of the things that can lead to breast cancer.

Other reasons include:

• Early menarche (start of menstruation) and late menopause which exposes the body's cells to more than normal oestrogen. While oestrogen is an important and protective hormone, it has a proliferative effect on cells of the breast and uterus which results in cancer.
• First delivery beyond 30 years of age increase chances of developing breast cancer
• Genetic predisposition about 6-8% of breast and ovarian cancers seem to be family-based. The genetic changes are passed down the generation, which will increase their chance of developing cancer.

How to recognise the symptoms

According to Dr Sumeet Shah, here are some common symptoms of breast cancer. Read about why you should be aware about the symptoms.

• A hard 'lump' or a 'knot' in the breast. Usually, these lumps are painless.
• Occasionally, a clear cut lump cannot be felt, but a 'lumpish' feel is there. And this feel is different as compared to the same area of the opposite breast.
• Bloody or a blood stained nipple discharge
• A recent 'in drawing' or 'inward pull' on the nipple or even a change in direction
• Changes in the skin over the breast, which feels thick, hard and like an 'orange' peel
• Occasionally, small 'knots' or nodes may be felt in the armpit.

What does the diagnosis entail?

A mammogram is used to detect breast cancer. Early detection of the disease is the most effective way to treat the ailment but that doesn't happen due to lack of awareness. Sadly, patients with advanced breast cancer end up being either exposed to aggressive treatment options like chemotherapy or surgery or have to be given palliative care to ease their suffering. If breast cancer is diagnosed and treated early the chances of cure and survival rates improve significantly, making it even more important to detect its presence.

According to the American Cancer Society's guidelines for early detection of breast cancer:

• A woman should undergo yearly mammograms starting at the age of 40. This practice should be continued for as long as the woman is healthy.
• They should get a clinical breast examination (CBE), approximately every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women in their 40s and over.
• Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and should report any breast changes promptly to their health care provider. Alternatively they could perform a breast self exam (BSE) starting in their 20s. Read about how you can do a breast self exam

With inputs from IANS

For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. Don't miss out on the latest updates. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.