Flax Seed study

There have been a couple studies on flaxseed and cancer recently. Here's one from 2002. It was done by implanting human cancer cells into the fatty breast tissue of mice. After the tumors had grown equally in the mice, at 8 weeks, one group was given 10% FS. When they were dissected at 15 weeks, on all accounts there was less cancer in the mice given FS, less metastasis, some tumor reduction, less lung cancer.

This was not related to the estrogen factors in FS, but on its affect on other metabolic processes.

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi? cmd=Retrieve&amp;db=PubMed&amp;list _uids=12588699&amp;dopt=Abstract <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi? cmd=Retrieve&amp;db=PubMed&amp;list _uids=12588699&amp;dopt=Abstract>>

Dietary flaxseed inhibits human breast cancer growth and metastasis and downregulates expression of insulin-like growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor.

Chen J, Stavro PM, Thompson LU.

Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3E2.

Recent studies indicate that diets rich in phytoestrogens and n-3 fatty acid have anticancer potential. This study determined the effect of flaxseed (FS), the richest source of lignans and alpha-linolenic acid, on growth and metastasis of established human breast cancer in a nude mice model. Estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer cells,
MDA-MB-435, were injected into the mammary fat pad of mice (Ncr nu/nu)
fed a basal diet (BD). At Week 8, mice were randomized into two diet groups, such that the groups had similar tumor size and body weight. One continued on the BD, while the other was changed to BD supplemented with
10% FS, until sacrifice at Week 15. A significant reduction (P < 0.05)
in tumor growth rate and a 45% reduction (P = 0.08) in total incidence of metastasis were observed in the FS group. Lung metastasis incidence was 55.6% in the BD group and 22.2% in the FS group, while the lymph node metastasis incidence was 88.9% in the BD group and 33.3% in the FS group (P < 0.05). Mean tumor number (tumor load) of total and lymph node metastasis was significantly lower in the FS than in the BD group (P <
0.05). Metastatic lung tumor number was reduced by 82%, and a significantly lower tumor trend (P < 0.01) was observed in the FS group.
Lung weight, which also reflects metastatic tumor load, in the FS group was reduced by 20% (P < 0.05) compared with the BD group.
Immunohistochemical study showed that Ki-67 labeling index and expression of insulin-like growth factor I and epithelial growth factor receptor in the primary tumor were lower in the FS (P < 0.05) than in the BD group. In conclusion, flaxseed inhibited the established human breast cancer growth and metastasis in a nude mice model, and this effect is partly due to its downregulation of insulin-like growth factor
I and epidermal growth factor receptor expression.

Should women with ER+ breast cancer avoid flaxseeds and flax oil that contain the phytoestrogens called lignans?

There is a recent preliminary small human study showing that ingestion of 25 grams of ground flaxmeal per day in women with newly diagnosed post-menopausal
ER+ breast cancer decreases biological markers of tumor growth the same amount as the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen during the time period between diagnosis and surgery. Tamoxifen treatment was not compared directly to flaxmeal in this study. The data are compared from two separate studies. In addition, this is such as small and early study that no recommendations for treatment with flaxmeal can be made based on these data. Much larger and longer head-to-head clinical trial studies in women would need to be done to offer this as a treatment option. However, these data look very promising that flaxmeal is not only safe but also potentially effective as a nutritional means for helping to treat ER+ breast cancer.

Please thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of ingesting flaxseeds as part of your dietary intake with your Oncologist and Registered Dietitian at your cancer center. Feel free to share the following reference for this data:

"Biological Effects of Dietary Flaxseed in Patients with Breast Cancer."
Abstract from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium - December 2000, Thompson
LU, Li T, Chen J, Goss PE Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto,
ON, Canada; Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

HI everyone:
I had read a few articles on Johanna Budwig (a German scientist) who swore on the anti-cancer effects of taking fresh flaxseed oil and mixing it with cottage cheese. You can google the articles. I began doing this immediately after being diagnosed with breast cancer. However I spoke with a nutritionist who has her Phd and she told me to stay away from soy and flaxseed. I found out that researchers are finding low levels of Vitamin D3 in women with breast cancer.
They stated that 400 IU's as the RDA was way too low and they are now suggesting much higher doses to 10,000 IU per day, stating that toxicity is reached at about 30,000 IU's. I was told to start taking 2,000 IU's per day but am taking double that now.
Also I was told to take Omega-3 and pysillium powder twice daily. The fiber in psyillium gets rid of the estrogen containing fat in food. Of course I am also taking Calcium/Magnesium, Vitamin C and Selenium along with a good multivitamin daily. I was told absolutely no sugar or white flower and to avoid red meat because of the "amines", no blackened or burned meat or fish and no frying at high temperatures which cause "smoke." She suggested using only Canola Oil to fry and never fry at high temperatures. Absolutely no french fries or potato chips due to the Acrylamide production when heated at high temperatures. I was also advised to begin exercising and muscle building. This is alot for one post but wanted to share this with you.

Katie, you are giving excellent advice here. I think you are doing very well in taking in those supplements and refraining from certain risk involving edibles. Did you start this on yourself or were you advised by a nutritian or doctor?

Hi Hamsa:
When I got diagnosed in June, I went into "fight for your life" mode and did lots of research using professional medical oncology websites. The supplements were suggested by the nutritionist who like I mentioned has her Phd and is up on the latest research.
I have also done research into the types of chemo used for breast cancer, their statistics and side effects. This is important because there is more than one choice of chemo for cancer. If you are unwilling to take a chance on having heart damage from one, you can suggest another with less serious side effects.
You have to be on the same page as your oncologist and if they are reluctant to hear your suggestions or if you feel like a number it might be time to find someone who is on the same page. Trust your inner feeling on who is making your decisions.

I think you are 'handling' this very wisely, Katie. I wish you all the best and am sure that you are doing everything you can in order to come out of it completely healthy