Fighting breast cancer

A bouquet of flowerets

It’s a concept almost too good to be true: a supplement that women could take daily to help prevent breast cancer.

And if researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have their way, within a decade or less this supplement could be a reality.

Something new from the cruciferous

Almost 5 years ago HSI first reported on research being done at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine that showed how the natural compound called sulforaphane (found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and Brussels sprouts, but especially broccoli) acts as a cancer-preventive agent.

The Johns Hopkins research continues to this day, and has also inspired other sulforaphane related studies, such as the one presented this past Sunday in Boston at the 224th national meeting of the American Chemical Society. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago reported on a recent test that shows how a new synthetic compound they developed called oxomate – designed to work like sulforaphane – may be an effective tool in fighting breast cancer.

The UI test exposed female rats to cancer-causing chemicals. The rats that produced breast tumors were divided into two groups: one was fed a normal diet, and another received the same diet with oxomate added. Almost 50 percent of the tumors present in the oxomate group were reduced compared to the group with a normal diet. The researchers concluded that oxomate is a “novel cancer chemopreventive agent.”

Both sulforaphane and oxomate have now been shown to stimulate the production of enzymes called phase II enzymes, known to detoxify cancerous chemicals. Sulforaphane, however, is believed to create a possible risk of cell damage when concentrated to create very high dosages. In developing oxomate compound, the UI researchers say they were able to remove components that create the adverse high dosage effect. It’s one of those rare cases where a synthetic compound seems to have an advantage over the natural compound it was designed after.

Sulforaphane NOW

With the success of this trial, the UI researchers look forward to human studies, hoping to develop oxomate into a once-a-day supplement for breast cancer prevention and possibly the prevention of other cancers as well. This past June I told you about two Johns Hopkins studies (“Like Bush the Elder” 6/24/02) that showed how sulforaphane reduces stomach cancer tumors in mice, and can also treat the H. pylori stomach bacteria that causes peptic ulcers.

So if oxomate does turn out to be a workable alternative to sulforaphane, there are a wide range of health issues it might effectively address. In the meantime it should be stressed that the cancer fighting benefits of sulforaphane are available to everyone right now. And because of the sources, there’s virtually no danger of ingesting amounts that might be harmful.

As I mentioned above, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts contain sulforaphane, with the highest concentrations found in broccoli. But if you have “broccoli issues” (as I do – even a small helping can trigger a killer migraine), then there are other ways to get your sulforaphane. In fact, broccoli sprouts contain higher levels of sulforaphane than broccoli stalks and flowerets. In recent years we’ve heard concerns about bacteria that grows in poorly handled spouts. If that’s a concern for you, a broccoli sprout extract (available at many health food stores) would alleviate the bacteria problem.

And if you’re a breast cancer patient or survivor – or if you know someone who is – it’s not too late to benefit from broccoli and other foods that can boost your immune system. The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine has an excellent web site called The Breast Center at Johns Hopkins (see “Sources” below) with plenty of helpful advice about breast cancer prevention, treatment, support programs, and straightforward nutritional information that all women can benefit from.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute