Eating fewer calories boosts cancer survival: Study finds it reduces the risk of disease spreading to other organs

Reducing calorie intake by a third improved breast cancer survival rate

Dieting may strengthen tissue around tumour so cancer cells can't spread 

Maintaining a healthy weight also makes treatment more effective

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Cutting calories reduces the likelihood of one type of breast cancer (pictured) migrating to other organs

A low calorie diet could help prevent an aggressive form of cancer from spreading around the body.

Scientists have found that cutting calories reduces the likelihood of one type of breast cancer migrating to other organs.

They were looking at triple negative breast cancer - one of the most life threatening forms that is aggressive and least responsive to standard treatment. It affects about one in five women with the disease. 

One theory is that dieting may decrease chance of cancer spreading by strengthening the tissue surrounding the tumour.

Many breast cancer patients are treated with hormonal therapy to block tumour growth and steroids to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy. 

But both treatments can alter the metabolism - which in turn, can trigger weight gain, with the average woman gaining 10lb in the first year of treatment. 

Previous studies have shown that being overweight makes breast cancer treatment less effective, and those who gain weight during treatment have worse cancer outcomes.

'That's why it's important to look at metabolism when treating women with cancer,' said study leader Dr Nicole Simone, from the department of Radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. 

The study involved feeding one group of mice a third less than another group. 

'We found that the diet turned on a programme that protected mice from metastatic disease,' explained Dr Simone.

The study, published in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, found that in the dieting mice, cancer cells decreased their production of microRNAs 17 and 20 (miR 17/20). 

 

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These are molecules that play a vital role in influencing the pathways responsible for many disease processes.

Researchers have found that in triple negative cancers that spread, this group of microRNAs is often increased. 

Dr Simone has previously discovered that calorie restriction boosts the effectiveness of radiation therapy. 

The new study set out to examine which molecular pathways were involved in this effect.

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Being overweight makes breast cancer treatment less effective, and those who gain weight during treatment have worse cancer outcomes

The researchers found that the microRNAs decreased the most when mice were treated with both radiation and calorie restriction. 

This decrease in turn increased the production of proteins involved in strengthening the tissue surrounding the tumour

Dr Simone said: 'Calorie restriction promotes epigenetic changes in the breast tissue that keep the extracellular matrix strong.

This is a scaffold that provides support to the cells. 

Dr Simone added: 'A strong matrix creates a sort of cage around the tumor, making it more difficult for cancer cells to escape and spread to new sites in the body.'

The findings should help pave the way for new drugs to treat cancer. In theory, a drug that decreased miR 17 could have the same effect on the extracellular matrix as calorie restriction. 

However, the researchers say that targeting a single molecular pathway, such as the miR17, is unlikely to be as effective as calorie restriction.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2639495/How-diet-affects-cancer-survival-Eating-fewer-calories-reduces-chance-disease-spreading-organs.html#ixzz32rIkEI4C 
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Teenage girls are more prone to depression because their hormones affect blood flow to the brain

Scientists at University of Pennsylvania found puberty marks change in blood flow to the brain with girls seeing a higher blood flow than boys

Females are known to be at higher risk of depression and anxiety

New study found parts of the brain with highest difference in blood flow were parts associated with higher cognitive functions

Area affected involves emotions and regulates control of social situations

Researchers say it could explain why females are more prone to depression

Teenage girls could be more prone to depression and anxiety disorders because they experience greater blood flow to the brain, a new study has found.

The sex hormone oestrogen drives more blood to the heads of young women compared to men - and that could explain disparities in psychiatric disorders.

Blood flow is known to be higher in adult women than men, but a study now shows it is markedly different during adolescence when teenagers are going through puberty.

Professor Theodore Satterthwaite, of the University of Pennsylvania, said: 'In general, females have a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression and in males higher prevalence of schizophrenia.

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Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania say greater blood flow to the brain in adolescent girls could explain why females are more likely to suffer depression and anxiety disorders

'The parts of the brain that saw the highest difference of blood flow were in parts of the brain associated with higher cognitive functions.'

He added the area affected was important as it involves 'emotions and regulates and controls social situations'.

Professor Satterthwaite and his colleagues used MRI scans to analyse the development of brain blood flow in 922 young people aged between eight and 22 to find out when such sex changes emerge.

 

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Previous studies have shown brain blood flow falls during adolescence. But by about the age of 15 it began to decline more rapidly in males than in females, and by late puberty it rose in females but continued to decline in the males.

The results published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggest the gender difference may originate during puberty, and may have implications for understanding psychiatric disorders that often manifest later.

The psychiatrists added: 'Puberty is the defining biological process of adolescent development, yet its effects on fundamental properties of brain physiology such as cerebral blood flow have never been investigated.'

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The study found the areas of a girl's brain that saw the highest increase in blood flow was that which deals with emotions and controls social situations

It is the first time to the researchers' knowledge that such different patterns of development have been linked to the effects of puberty.

Prof Satterthwaite said: 'These results may have important implications for neuropsychiatric disorders with adolescent onset and strong gender disparities such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.'

Sex differences in brain structure are well documented and are increasingly tied to developmental effects related to puberty.

In particular, several studies have found puberty in females and rising oestrogen is related to increased grey matter in structures such as the hippocampus.

Added Prof Satterthwaite: 'The present results have potential relevance to a wide range of psychiatric disorders that often manifest following puberty and have marked sex disparities including depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.'

He added that future research could test whether increased brain blood flow in girls after puberty may be linked to the greater risk for mood and anxiety disorders, and a lower risk of schizophrenia.

Boys are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia which is linked to the male sex hormone testosterone.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2639701/Teenage-girls-prone-depression-hormones-affect-blood-flow-brain.html#ixzz32rF4P800 
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Angelina Effect: Doctors warn over worrying rise in double mastectomies after Jolie's operation

Women with low risk of contracting cancer are requesting procedure

Means they are being over-treated and may suffer long-term harm

Comes after actress Angelina Jolie last year chose a double mastectomy

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Brave stance: Angelina Jolie had both breasts removed last year after discovering she had an 87 per cent chance of contracting cancer

Women with breast cancer are increasingly asking for removal of both breasts – despite there being no medical reason for the surgery.

Most do not have a genetic or family history putting them at higher risk of the disease, warn experts.

As a result, they are being over-treated and may suffer long-term harm, including delays in dealing with the cancer.

The rise in women asking for the procedure comes after actress Angelina Jolie last year chose a double mastectomy for prevention when she discovered gene mutations raised her risk of breast cancer to 87 per cent.

The risk is around 12.5 per cent in the general population.

But a recent study found more than two-thirds of women who had both breasts removed after a cancer diagnosis did not have a medical reason for doing so.

They had a very low risk of developing cancer in the healthy breast because they had no family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutations.

The study was carried out by US researchers, but surgeons in Britain say such requests are on the increase, especially from young patients who want the unaffected breast removed at the same time. 

In the US study, of 1,447 women treated for breast cancer, almost 8 per cent had undergone a double mastectomy. But 69 per cent of these women who underwent removal of the unaffected breast at the same time had no genetic or family risk factors.

Study leader Dr Sarah Hawley, from the University of Michigan, said having such a procedure ‘does not make sense’. ‘Having a non-affected breast removed will not reduce the risk of recurrence in the affected breast,’ she added.

‘For women who do not have a strong family history or a genetic finding, we would argue it’s probably not appropriate to get the unaffected breast removed.’

The research, published in the journal JAMA Surgery, found 18 per cent of the women studied had considered a double mastectomy.

 

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Women with a risky family history and BRCA mutations made up around 10 per cent of those diagnosed.

In the UK it is estimated that up to 1,200 women a year with faulty genes have preventive removal of both breasts, while the number of breast cancer patients opting for simultaneous removal of a second healthy breast is unknown.

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Experts warn women are taking overly-drastic steps since Angelina Jolie went public with her procedure

Following Miss Jolie’s revelation last year that she had had a double mastectomy, a breast cancer charity reported a four-fold surge in women enquiring about having their breasts removed. 

Figures compiled by Cancer Research UK showed the number of calls to its helpline regarding a family history of breast cancer rose in 2013 from 13 in April to 88 for May.

A total of 15,920 people went onto the pages from its website containing information about breast cancer the day of Miss Jolie’s announcement, May 14. The previous day just 4,796 visited the site.

'Women who do not have a genetic predisposition or family history are being over-treated'

- Cancer surgeon Prof Kefah Mokbel

Leading breast cancer surgeon Professor Kefah Mokbel said in the past ten years there have been increasing requests for double mastectomies and reconstruction from young women diagnosed with cancer in one breast. 

He said: ‘They want to minimise the risk, but the study shows that women who do not have a genetic predisposition or family history are being over-treated.’

Genetic testing should be used as an objective measure for women considering having a second unaffected breast removed, he said.

He warned that the procedure carries complications, such as potential psychosexual problems and possible delay in medical treatment of the affected breast, which could reduce chances of survival.

Sally Greenbrook, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: ‘Double mastectomies are not routinely offered to women with breast cancer in the UK unless they have a family history of the disease or a high risk of recurrence as outside of these groups there is no evidence to suggest that this would be of benefit.’

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Campaign, said: ‘Women who are concerned about getting breast cancer in their other breast should speak to their healthcare team who will be able to provide them with support and information about the risks of this occurring and their individual treatment options.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2635679/Angelina-Effect-Doctors-warn-worrying-rise-double-mastectomies-Jolies-op.html#ixzz32U3S1YLo 
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Could grapefruit beat lung disease? Eating fruit and other foods including cheese and bananas found to help patients suffering one of most common variants

Some 3 million people in the UK suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Researchers studied the eating habits of more than 2,100 COPD sufferers 

Scientists found a direct link between eating grapefruit and improvements in the patient's condition

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More than three million people in the UK suffer from COPD and eating grapefruit could be an easy way to alleviate symptoms of the killer lung disease

Eating grapefruit, bananas, fish and cheese could help patients suffering one of the most common lung conditions in Britain, say scientists.

Research showed a direct link between the foods and improvements in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Scientists from the US and Europe used diet records for 2,167 COPD sufferers over a three-year period. 

Those who had eaten the products within 24 hours showed improvement in a range of measures such as lung function, fitness scores and white blood cell count. 

Lead study author Dr Corrine Hanson said patients should now be offered dietary and nutritional counselling as part of their treatment.

 

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COPD is thought to affect more than 3

million people in the UK. But only 900,000 have been diagnosed because many sufferers dismiss their symptoms as a ‘smoker’s cough’.

It usually affects people over the age of 35, although most people are not diagnosed until they are in their fifties.

Those who had eaten the products within 24 hours showed improvement in a range of measures such as lung function, fitness scores and white blood cell count. Lead study author Dr Corrine Hanson said patients should now be offered dietary and nutritional counselling as part of their treatment.

 

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Researchers studied the diets of more than 2,100 COPD sufferers (picture posed by model)

It is thought there are more than 3 million people living with the disease in Britain, of which only about 900,000 have been diagnosed. 

This is because many people who develop symptoms of COPD do not get medical help because they often dismiss their symptoms as a 'smoker's cough'.. 

COPD affects more men than women, although rates in women are increasing.

The study's lead author Doctor Corinne Hanson said: 'Diet is a potentially modifiable risk factor in the development and progression of many diseases, and there is evidence that diet plays a role in both the development and clinical features of COPD.

'This study aimed to evaluate that association.'

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Eating foods such as grapefruits, bananas and cheese can help with the symptoms of COPD, scientists have discovered

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2635673/Could-grapefruit-beat-lung-disease-Eating-fruit-foods-including-cheese-bananas-help-patients-suffering-one-common-variants.html#ixzz32U2cJqqY 
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Food for thought: Americans are eating vegetables more than ever before (… but the bad news is they're covered in salt and fat)

Potatoes are most often eaten as fries, which doubles the calorie intake

Most Americans don't eat the fiber-rich skins of baked potatoes

Tomatoes are usually consumed in the form of salt-heavy pasta sauces

The good news is that Americans are munching their way through more vegetables than ever – though still not enough. 

The bad news is that they’re being served up with too much fat and salt, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Potatoes and tomatoes account for 51 per cent of vegetable intake, according to the USDA, but they’re often eaten in unhealthy ways while dining out, instead of in healthy home-cooked dishes.

For instance, potatoes are most often consumed as fries, which double the calorie intake.

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Little appetite for healthy eating: Americans often eat their vegetables while dining out, as salty pasta sauces and fries

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Spud you like: Americans eat plenty of potatoes, but usually as calorie-heavy fries

The USDA said: 'Eating an additional cup of potatoes in the forms prepared at home resulted in an increase of 88 calories, whereas eating an additional cup of potatoes prepared away from home increased calorie intake almost twice as much.'

The USDA also warned that ‘potato dishes, such as mashed and scalloped potatoes, are often prepared with added fats and sodium’.

 

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Baked potatoes are also popular, but while they’re a good source of potassium, the fibre-rich skins are often not eaten, especially when dining out.

Tomatoes are the second-most consumed vegetable by Americans, but while very nutritious in their raw form – they’re rich in vitamins A and C - they’re mostly consumed in salt-heavy sauces in pasta dishes and on pizzas, which aren’t known for being kind to waistlines.

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Slice of life: Tomatoes are mostly eaten in waistline widening pizzas

The USDA said: ‘While a cup of raw tomato has only 9 mg of sodium [salt], according to the most recent USDA nutrient data canned tomato sauce typically contains more than 1,000 mg of sodium per cup.’

The USDA recommends that Americans should lower their daily salt intake from 3,400mg daily to 2,300mg a day.

On average, Americans eat 1.5 cups of vegetables daily, about 50 to 60 per cent of the two to three cups recommended for adults and older children, the USDA said.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2636213/Food-thought-Americans-eating-vegetables-bad-news-theyre-covered-salt-fat.html#ixzz32U29epNb 
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