根据纽约路透社报导,来自宾州大学医学院(University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine)的研究人员发现,常被西方女性用来纾缓更年期症状的黑升麻(Black Cohosh),或许也有降低乳癌风险的功能。此研究发表于近期的Journal of Cancer期刊,由Timothy R. Rebbeck主导研究进行。
研究人员对949位乳癌病人进行策试,并以1524位正常妇女作为对照组,在服用黑升麻配方(包括5%的黑升麻及2%的白升麻)的妇女中,大约能降低62%的罹癌风险。此外,也发现服用Remifemin(含有20 毫克的黑升麻黄豆片剂,作为调节妇女更年期之用)的妇女,也能降低53%的罹癌风险。
Rebbeck表示:「先前的研究已显示黑升麻能阻断细胞的生长,也能当作抗氧化剂,或作为抗雌激素效应之用。虽然此研究显示,黑升麻对于降低乳癌风险具有显著功效,但黑升麻也具有副作用,因此在使用时应特别谨慎,应在询问医师后再行服用。」
(编译/陈瑞娟) (资料来源 : Bio.com)
International Journal of Cancer,1 April ,2007, Volume 120, Issue 7 , Pages 1523 - 1528
Epidemiology
A retrospective case-control study of the use of hormone-related supplements and association with breast cancer
Timothy R. Rebbeck 1 2 *, Andrea B. Troxel 1 2, Sandra Norman 1 2, Greta R. Bunin 1 2 3, Angela DeMichele 1 2 4, Mona Baumgarten 5, Michelle Berlin 6, Rita Schinnar 1, Brian L. Strom 1 2 4
1Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
2Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
3Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
4Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
5Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Women's Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
email: Timothy R. Rebbeck (trebbeck@cceb.med.upenn.edu)
*Correspondence to Timothy R. Rebbeck, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Fax: +1215-573-2265.
Funded by:
National Institutes of Health; Grant Number: P01-CA77596
Keywords
breast cancer ?prevention ?complementary alternative medicine
Abstract
Hormone-related supplements (HRS), many of which contain phytoestrogens, are widely used to manage menopausal symptoms, yet their relationship with breast cancer risk has generally not been evaluated. We evaluated whether use of HRS was associated with breast cancer risk, using a population-based case-control study in 3 counties of the Philadelphia metropolitan area consisting of 949 breast cancer cases and 1,524 controls. Use of HRS varied significantly by race, with African American women being more likely than European American women to use any herbal preparation (19.2% vs. 14.7%, p = 0.003) as well as specific preparations including black cohosh (5.4% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.003), ginseng (12.5% vs. 7.9%, p < 0.001) and red clover (4.7% vs. 0.6%, p < 0.001). Use of black cohosh had a significant breast cancer protective effect (adjusted odds ratio 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22-0.70). This association was similar among women who reported use of either black cohosh or Remifemin (an herbal preparation derived from black cohosh; adjusted odds ratio 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27-0.82). The literature reports that black cohosh may be effective in treating menopausal symptoms, and has antiestrogenic, antiproliferative and antioxidant properties. Additional confirmatory studies are required to determine whether black cohosh could be used to prevent breast cancer. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.