| Breast cancer is one of the most frightening diseases | | | | contribute to speeding up the aging process and to |
| faced by today's women. In fact, breast cancer is | | | | causing diseases such as cancer, heart attack and |
| the second most common cancer among women, | | | | stroke. |
| after nonmelanoma skin cancer. About 13% of | | | | Anti-oxidants, however, can help us combat these |
| American women will develop breast cancer at some | | | | free radicals, and a diet in anti-oxidants is linked with |
| point in their lifetime. And, it is the second leading | | | | preventing cancer, heart disease and stroke. So, |
| cause of cancer death among women, after lung | | | | doctors recommend a diet high in anti-oxidants - |
| cancer. | | | | which means eating lots of fresh fruits and |
| Scientists are continuing to look for new information | | | | vegetables and drinking green tea each day. |
| to determine what causes breast cancer as well how | | | | However, scientists also seem to be finding out that |
| to prevent and treat this disease. Today, we still | | | | green tea may be able to increase the effectiveness |
| don't know what causes breast cancer, but we do | | | | in some cancer treatments. Several studies |
| understand some of the risk factors. | | | | conducted on mice already diagnosed with cancer |
| In addition, we have come a long way in treating | | | | have shown that taking green tea along with the |
| breast cancer - though many women still die each | | | | cancer treatments can increase the effectiveness of |
| year. Some of the research is very promising, | | | | the traditional therapy and may slow down the |
| including research on green tea. | | | | progression of cancer to other cells. There is |
| One group of breast cancer sufferers who cause | | | | promising research; some of it directly related to |
| doctors a great area of concern are those who have | | | | breast cancer treatment. |
| a higher than average expression of the epidermal | | | | One particular study of interest was conducted by |
| growth factor Her-2/neu. Her-2/neu is a growth | | | | the Boston University School of Medicine. In this |
| factor that sometimes presents itself in a tumor. An | | | | study, female mice with breast cancer whose Her-2 |
| over expression of this growth factor is a concern | | | | neu levels were very high were treated with green |
| for breast cancer patients. | | | | tea along with their regular cancer treatment. Mice |
| During routine testing of patients who have been | | | | that ingested the green tea showed a slower growth |
| recently diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, | | | | of their tumors and a slower progression of their |
| doctors will determine the level of Her-2/neu. If the | | | | cancer than those who were treated with the same |
| level is high, this information is used to guide | | | | medicine without green tea as an adjunct therapy. |
| treatment. The level of this growth factor is | | | | Researchers who found these results also believe |
| important because studies have shown that patients | | | | that if green tea can inhibit the growth of tumors in |
| with an over expression of Her-2/neu have a higher | | | | patients already diagnosed with cancer, it may also |
| likelihood of their cancer metastasizing, and have an | | | | be effective in preventing cancerous cells from |
| overall lower survival rate. The Her-2/neu is high in | | | | forming and growing in the first place. This coincides |
| about 30% of breast cancer patients. | | | | with other research that indicates that green tea |
| As part of the ongoing research to find effective | | | | may be significant in preventing cancer. In addition, it |
| treatments for breast cancer, scientists have been | | | | helps explain why Asian cultures have such a low |
| looking seriously at the benefits of green tea, both | | | | cancer incidence compared to the Western world. |
| on preventing cancer and treating it. Asian cultures | | | | This is very promising news for a group of breast |
| have used green tea for its healing properties for | | | | cancer sufferers who have traditionally had a lower |
| centuries, and their overall rate of cancer is much | | | | survival rate than others with breast cancer. If we |
| lower than that of the Western world. | | | | can slow the rate of cancer progression in those with |
| Tea is derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. You'll | | | | over expression of Her-2/neu to approximately the |
| hear tea referred to as green, white or black. These | | | | same rate as other breast cancer patients, we may |
| differences do not result from actual different types | | | | be far more effective at treating these patients. |
| of tea leaf, but rather from differences in how the | | | | Far more research is needed in the area of breast |
| tea leaves are processed. Green and white teas are | | | | cancer prevention and treatment. In addition, |
| not fermented during processing, but black tea goes | | | | scientists will be spending more time examining the |
| through such a processing. | | | | benefits of green tea in cancer prevention and |
| Tea leaves contain catechins, part of the flavan-3-ol | | | | treatment. But, it seems clear that green tea has a |
| class of flavonoids, which are anti-oxidants. EGCG is | | | | place in the prevention and treatment of many |
| one of the catechins contained in tea, and is a potent | | | | diseases, including cancer. |
| anti-oxidant. Fermenting the tea leaves converts the | | | | Even though there is more research to be done, |
| catechins to other compounds that are not as | | | | there is no downside to adding green tea to your |
| healthy as those in unfermented tea. So, the focus | | | | diet to help prevent disease or to improve your |
| of research has been on green tea, because of its | | | | health if it is already failing. Scientists have found no |
| healthier form of anti-oxidants. | | | | risks involved with drinking green tea. It has no side |
| What's So Great About Anti-Oxidants? | | | | effects, and is a healthy alternative to coffee |
| During our body's process of converting food to | | | | because of its high level of anti-oxidants and because |
| energy, we create free radicals in our body. These | | | | it is much lower in caffeine than coffee. So, get a |
| free radicals are damaging to our cells and DNA if we | | | | jump start on your anti-oxidants by drinking green |
| don't combat them. Left unchecked, free radicals | | | | tea! |