Does Green Tea Cause Breast Cancer

Green Tea And Reduction Of Breast Cancer Risk

RATIONALE: Green tea extract contains ingredients that may lower the risk of breast cancer.

PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well green tea extract works in preventing breast cancer compared to a placebo in postmenopausal women with high breast density.

The investigators have hypothesized that green tea consumption reduces breast cancer risk, and this effect is seen primarily in women who have the low-activity COMT genotype. The investigators will test this by evaluating the effects of green tea extract on breast cancer biomarkers including mammographic density, plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 , IGF binding protein 3 , estrone, estradiol, androstenedione, sex hormone binding globulin , urinary estrogen metabolites and plasma F2-isoprostanes.

OBJECTIVES:

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Oolong Tea Drinkers And Breast Cancer Risk

Additionally, the scientists examined annual cancer registry data from China and the Fujian province and found that people in the latter area were 35 percent less likely to have breast cancer and 38 percent less likely to die from it compared with the national average.

They also noted that people who consumed large amounts of oolong tea on a regular basis were 25 percent less likely to develop breast cancer compared with the average incidence in the Fujian province and 50 percent less likely compared with the national average.

Finally, compared with the national average, high consumers of oolong tea were 68 percent less likely to die prematurely.

It is clear that more study is needed, Huang says. However, he lower incidence and mortality in regions with higher oolong tea consumption indicate that oolong tea has great potential for its anti-cancer properties.

From our results, concludes Huang, oolong tea, much like green tea, plays a role in inhibiting breast cancer cell growth, proliferation, and tumor progression.

Why People With Cancer Use It

There is no real evidence that green tea can help treat cancer.

There is some evidence from early studies to suggest that having green tea might reduce the risk of some cancers. But at the moment the evidence is not strong enough to know this for sure.

People with cancer also drink green tea because they believe it might:

• boost their immune system which might help them fight their cancer
• improve health, energy levels and well being
• get rid of toxins in the body
• give them some control over their cancer and its treatment
• treat their cancer if no other conventional treatment can

The media has also promoted black tea as an anti-cancer agent. Black tea comes from the same plant as green tea. But black tea is made from the fermented leaves of the plant.

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What Are The Ingredients Of Tea

Tea is composed of polyphenols, alkaloids , amino acids, carbohydrates, proteins, chlorophyll, volatile organic compounds , fluoride, aluminum, minerals, and trace elements . The polyphenols, a large group of plant chemicals that includes the catechins , are thought to be responsible for the health benefits that have traditionally been attributed to tea, especially green tea. The most active and abundant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate . The active catechins and their respective concentrations in green tea infusions are listed in the table below.

What Evidence From Human Studies Links Tea To Cancer Prevention

Tea has long been regarded as an aid to good health, and many believe it can help reduce the risk of cancer. Most studies of tea and cancer prevention have focused on green tea . Although tea and/or tea polyphenols have been found in animal studies to inhibit tumorigenesis at different organ sites, including the skin, lung, oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, and mammary gland , the results of human studiesboth epidemiologic and clinical studieshave been inconclusive.

Epidemiologic Studies

More than 50 epidemiologic studies of the association between tea consumption and cancer risk have been published since 2006. The results of these studies have often been inconsistent, but some have linked tea consumption to reduced risks of cancers of the colon, breast, ovary, prostate, and lung . The inconsistent results may be due to variables such as differences in tea preparation and consumption, the types of tea studied , the methods of tea production, the bioavailability of tea compounds, genetic variation in how people respond to tea consumption, the concomitant use of tobacco and alcohol, and other lifestyle factors that may influence a persons risk of developing cancer, such as physical activity or weight status.

Clinical Trials

Several clinical trials have investigated the role of tea and tea polyphenols in cancer prevention . However, few trials have examined the effects of tea or tea polyphenols on cancer incidence or mortality.

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Extracts Change Cancer Cell Genetics For The Better

Green tea and broccoli have a long list of anti-cancer actions.

Studies show that green tea contains polyphenols that have favorable effects against tumor cells of all kinds. This includes halting the cell reproductive cycle, triggering programmed cancer cell death, and preventing tumors from spreading .1,6,7

Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a compound that shares some of EGCGs anti-cancer properties, but in addition can prevent the liver from converting potential carcinogens into active ones.1,8-10

These compounds also have properties capable of reversing several cancer-related gene alterations. Both EGCG and sulforaphane have the ability to turnon genes that suppress tumors, while turning off genes that promote tumors .1,11-15

This ability to turn genes on and off that is, to control their expression is calledepigenetics. This is an exciting area in medical science, as it is now understood that genes dont need to be replaced, or have their structure altered, to determine whether or not they function. They can, in effect, be reprogrammed.

In an effort to better understand how these two natural compounds can be therapeutically applied to breast cancer, researchers decided to test their specific epigenetic effects on breast cancer cells.1

In other words, the botanicals produced an epigenetic changecausing undesirable ER-negative cells to alter their genetic expression and become ER-positive cells that are sensitive to being killed by tamoxifen.

What Are Natural Estrogen Blockers

Natural estrogen blockers Wild nettle root: Nettle root or nettle leaves are often used to make prostate medication. Nettles contain compounds that act as natural estrogen blockers. Taking supplements can regulate production of the hormone. Chrysin: This flavonoid is found in passionflower, honey, and bee propolis.

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Mechanisms Of Action Of Green Tea Components In Breast Cancer

To better understand the preventive and therapeutic activities of green tea components on breast cancer found in animal studies, substantial research has been conducted to uncover the mechanisms at cellular and molecular levels. Experimental studies collectively show that green tea components lead to wide range of responses in animal models or breast cancer cells.

Green Tea To Treat Cancer

There is very little research into whether green tea or green tea extract can help treat cancer.

In 2012 an American study looked at taking a green tea extract called polyphenon E. They gave it to 42 patients. They all had a type of leukaemia called chronic lymphocytic leukaemia . The people in the trial were not taking any other kind of treatment.

The researchers found that in a third of people the number of leukaemic cells lessened. Their lymph nodes also shrank. This was a small trial, but the results were promising. We need larger trials before we will know whether green tea or its extracts can help people with cancer.

In another review study in 2018 researchers looked at using green tea and turmeric in people with CLL. They found limited evidence and mixed results that it might work.

Research has shown a possible interaction between green tea and the drug bortezomib . This early research suggested that green tea might stop Velcade from working well. But we need much more research to find out if green tea has the same effect on humans.

Speak to your doctor if you are taking Velcade and you want to drink green tea. You might have to avoid green tea or the extract EGCG. Some people take EGCG as a supplement in liquid or capsules.

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Estrogen Metabolism And Breast Cancer

These estrogen levels followed their categorization with regard to the estrogen metabolism pathway involved. This allowed the researchers to determine that these urinary estrogen differences were related to their estrogen metabolism and their future risk of breast cancer.

The primary estrogen pathway connected with breast cancer is the 16-hydroxylated estrogens. As for the 16-hydroxylated estrogen pathway, both estradiol and estrone markers were 40% lower among those women who drank green tea at least one time daily compared to those women who drank less than one cup of green tea a week.

Levels of caffeine consumption did not change these dynamics among the women. And black tea consumption did not produce these decreases in estrogen metabolites.

Furthermore, estrogen levels of premenopausal women did not respond to green tea consumption. This did not surprise the researchers, as previous research has found that postmenopausal women respond differently to medications such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.

While other studies have shown some differences in urinary estrogen levels and green tea drinking among women, this is the first study that analyzed a broad range of estrogen metabolites among peri- and postmenopausal women.

Post-menopause follows one year after the stage of menopause, when a womans ovaries halt egg production. During this period, estrogen and progesterone production is reduced.

Green Tea And Broccoli Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

Compounds in green tea and broccoli can reprogram genes in treatment-resistant malignant cells to make them more susceptible to eradication by conventional therapies. The combination of green tea and broccoli can reduce tumor size in difficult-to-treat cancers.

Scientifically reviewed by: Dr. Amanda Martin, DC, in May 2022. Written by: Janet Seiken.

Certain types of breast cancer cells are notoriously difficult to treat.

These cancers can undergo changes that make them impervious to some of the most effective treatments available.

Green tea and broccoli contain compounds that can restore treatment sensitivity to treatment-resistant breast cancer cells.

They accomplish this by reprogramming the genes of the malignant cells.

In a recent study, difficult-to-treat tumors from mice supplemented with both green tea and broccoli weighed only about a third as much as the same type of tumors from control mice.1 This indicated that the combination of green tea and broccoli could reduce tumor size in hard-to-treat cancers.

The ability to produce such changes makes these compounds promising against difficult-to-treat breast cancersand may offer hope to the thousands of women impacted every year.

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Bph: Can Green Tea Cure It

• In Blog, News, Prostate Enlargement, St. Petersburg, FL

For men, living long enough means you are going to have problems with your prostate. While the prostate is typically a small, walnut-sized gland in young males, it undergoes two phases of growth later on in life which often result in urinary problems. The first phase of growth occurs during puberty and usually doubles the size of the gland, while the second phase of growth begins at around 25 and continues for the rest of your life leading to benign prostatic enlargement . More than 50 percent of men have BPH by the age of 60 and experience urinary difficulties. Although prescription medications are commonly used to treat BPH, herbal supplements may provide much needed relief during the initial stages of the condition. One such herbal solution is green tea.

Can Drinking Oolong Tea Help Prevent Breast Cancer

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01/17/2019

In a recent study published in the journal Anticancer Research, Saint Louis University scientists, together with a visiting scientist from Fujian Medical University in China, have discovered evidence that oolong tea can lead to DNA damage of breast cancer cells and inhibit the growth and progression of tumors in the lab, potentially offering a non-toxic strategy to prevent breast cancer.

The group, led by Chunfa Huang, Ph.D., associate research professor in the department of internal medicine at Saint Louis University, studied how tea extracts affect breast cancer cell viability, observed how the cells treated with the extracts caused morphology alteration and DNA damage, and analyzed how the extract affected cancer cell colony formation and growth. From our results, oolong tea, much like green tea, plays a role in inhibiting breast cancer cell growth, proliferation and tumor progression, Huang said.

It is estimated that more than 250,000 women in the U.S. were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, and that 41,000 will die from the illness. Thanks to screening, early diagnosis, molecular subtype classification and improvements in treatment, death rates are declining. However, there is a great need for more effective and less toxic treatments and prevention strategies.

Other researchers on the study include Haihong Shi, Jin Liu, Yifan Tu and Carl Freter.

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Does Green Tea Cause Breast Cancer

Green Tea Consumption and Risk of Breast Cancer and Recurrence-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and several factors are involved in its onset. Green tea has been shown to have potential beneficial effects on different types of cancer.

Green Tea May Reduce But Black Tea May Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Epidemiological and laboratory studies have linked green tea to reduced risks of breast, lung, prostate and ovarian cancer. As a result, green tea sales have been steadily increasing in Europe and the US.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer for European women. Over one million new cases are diagnosed every year worldwide, with the highest rates in the Netherlands and the US. China has the lowest rates.

The anti-cancer effects of tea have been linked to the polyphenol content of the tea. Green tea contains between 30 and 40 per cent of water-extractable polyphenols, while black tea contains between 3 and 10 per cent.

The four primary polyphenols found in fresh tealeaves are epigallocatechin gallate , epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin.

The meat-analysis, published on-lined in the journal Carcinogenesis , draws on three cohort and one population-based study for green tea, while five cohort and eight case-control studies were analysed for a link between black tea and breast cancer.

“Overall summary odds ration showed an approximately 20 per cent statistically significant reduction in risk of breast cancer associated with high intake of green tea,” reported lead author Can-Lan Sun from the University of Minnesota.

No such protective effect was found for black tea. Indeed, the results were contradictory: the cohort studies showed a small increased risk of breast cancer, while the case-control studies showed a small risk.

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Benefits Of Green Tea For Breast Cancer

There is no specific evidence that green tea is effective in treating cancer. However, evidence shows that green tea may reduce the risk of developing certain cancers in people. Preliminary studies have also shown that green tea is effective in stopping the growth of cancer cells in some animals.

Green tea has positive benefits on overall health, which is one reason that many breast cancer patients drink it. Other reasons that people with cancer choose to drink green tea include the following beliefs:

• It will boost their immune system
• It may treat cancer if nothing else is working
• It will rid toxins from the body
• It will improve their energy levels

The Benefits Of Green Tea For Breast Cancer Patients

Connecticut Breast Imaging is dedicated to caring for each patient throughout a cancer journey, from initial testing and diagnosis through treatment and recovery. A healthy diet and consumption of foods that may boost their immune system and overall health is a crucial part of the journey. We like to share information, such as this article on the benefits of green tea, to help our patients consider a variety of positive behaviors to aid them during their recovery.

Green tea is known to have several benefits for the body. It can increase fat burning, improve brain function, and lead to a longer and healthier life. People with cancer often use green tea because of its antioxidant properties. Especially for breast cancer patients, green tea is a popular supplement that people take alongside their cancer treatment.

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How Egcg Fight Against Cancer

There are various functions which the EGCG performs to fight against Cancer.

• When the cells of our body become free from the normal growth i.e, the growth and death of cancer cells become abnormal which with time gives rise to Cancer. What Green antioxidants do is that they stop the cancerous cells from growing. The growth of cancer cells is hampered by blocking the cyclin D1 . Also, EGCG blocks the enzymes which support the cancer cells in maintaining their life cycle. So, in this way, the Green Tea antioxidants control the growth of cancer cells.
• EGCG also helps in increasing the cellular levels of other proteins available in the body which indirectly end the growth of cancer cells.
• Under the laboratory conditions, EGCG and other green tea antioxidants have confirmed fruitful in killing many different cancer types. For example Green tea can be effective and useful in treating Breast Cancer. The antioxidants of Green Tea helps in reducing the tumour size. Therefore, Green Tea is can also assist in killing some type of cancer cells from the body.
• When the blood vessels start to grow abnormally and eventually grow into a tumour, this is called angiogenesis. Angiogenesis provides the necessary nutrients and oxygen to the cancer cells which helps them grow and spread faster. However, this growth and spreading can be handled with the proper intake of green tea antioxidants.