Study: Diet affects the spread of breast cancer

In mouse research, scientists found that a certain amino acid in some foods played an important role in increasing the spread of one of the deadliest forms of breast cancer in other areas of the body.

The amino acid is known as as as aparagin and is usually found in gilded vegetables. Chemical compounds are also found in milk, beef, birds, eggs, fish, potatoes, beans, nuts, soy sauce and cereals. Most fruits and vegetables are low in asparagia, researchers point out.

Research took place at 12 institutions across the globe. One of the authors, Simon Knott of the Ceras-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, stressed that the study adds credibility to the theory that there is a complex interaction between diet and cancer.

“Our study adds an increasing number of evidence suggesting that diets can affect the course of illness”, Knot said.

Researchers said they were planning soon to run tests on human cells. If the results in people are similar, they believe reducing asparagina can become an option for treatment for future patients.

The team also believes that the study has implications for not only breast cancer but also other types of metastatic cancer.

“The results of the study are extremely suggestive that dietary changes can affect as an individual respond to primary therapy and their chances of the deadly disease spreading later in life”, said Senior author Gregory Hannon of the Cambridge University in Britain.