"Previous research has shown that flaxseed may contain compounds that protect postmenopausal women from breast cancer," Leah Williamson, a Masters researcher at RMIT's Department of Food Science, said.
"These compounds, called phytoestrogens, work at lowering levels of estrogens linked to breast cancer. Flaxseed is particularly high in one such phytoestrogen, called lignan, which is believed to reduce the enzymes and the estrogens that cause the breast to produce potentially cancerous cells.
"We are collaborating with Melrose Laboratories to studying the potential benefits of flaxseed in reducing the risk of breast cancer."
Today, one in twelve Australian women will develop breast cancer, making it the most common cancer and one of the most prevalent diseases on Australian women.
"The aim of the research is to assess the relationship between flaxseed and breast cancer, and suggest diets that can be incorporated into the lifestyle of women at risk of breast cancer," Ms Williamson said.
"Our goal is to lower breast cancer risk and improve long-term quality of life."
The RMIT study, titled "Effect of Flaxseed Lignans on Biomarkers of Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women", is seeking postmenopausal women in metropolitan Melbourne. Participants must be healthy, not on hormone replacement therapy, non-smokers and at least one year menopausal.
In addition to consuming their normal 'Western' diet and fewer than five alcoholic drinks and no more than three caffeinated beverages per day, the women will provide urine and blood samples for evaluation. Their body weights will be measured and self-reported diet records monitored.
Women interested in taking part in the study should contact Leah Williamson on (03) 9925 3967 or leah.williamsonrmit.au
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Due to the fact that the symptoms identified in this study can be indicative of many conditions, Drs. Yawn and Barrette suggest that women and their doctors be particularly alert to incontinence and abdominal pain that do not improve with treatment. "When a woman goes in to see her doctor with these abdominal, urinary or pelvic symptoms and the tests for the most common causes are negative, the workup needs to continue," says Dr. Yawn. "Ovarian cancer must be considered. If the symptoms persist and there is not a clear reason, you need to look further." At a minimum, the symptoms require a pelvic examination with an ultrasound and a blood test for ovarian cancer if they do not resolve or do not have another very clear diagnosis within weeks -- not months, agree Drs. Yawn and Barrette.
Another barrier to catching ovarian cancer early is that the cancer's progression is almost entirely in the body's interior. "The diagnosis is so tricky because there is room in the abdomen, and an ovary can grow, form a big mass and progress without the patient even noticing," says Dr. Barrette. "You can't feel it from the outside -- it's inside, and we in the medical community don't have any screening test specifically for ovarian cancer."
Drs. Yawn and Barrette indicate that the symptom of abdominal pain most likely originates from pressure from the tumor or from fluid in the abdomen prompted by the tumor's presence. Urinary incontinence is most likely due to the tumor's pressing on the bladder and causing increased pressure within the abdomen, prompting urine loss.
Dr. Yawn explains that from the data collected in this study, the investigators are unable to draw conclusions about whether catching a patient's symptoms early in the progression of ovarian cancer will make a difference in the treatability of her cancer. Prior studies addressed that issue.
"We know if ovarian cancer is detected at an earlier stage, the survival is about 90 percent; we know that an early stage can make a difference," says Dr. Yawn. Dr. Barrette points out, however, that ovarian cancer can progress from stage to stage in a matter of months, making it far more aggressive than malignancies such as breast cancer.
Ovarian cancer occurs in 1 out of 70 women.
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