According to Breastcancer.org, one in eight American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Following lung cancer, breast cancer has the highest death rate for women in the United States. Skin cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer, with breast cancer taking second place. According to MayoClinic.com, lifestyle factors such as exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol may reduce the chances of developing breast cancer. A study cited by the International Journal of Cancer reports that adding mushrooms to your diet may offer additional protection.
Research
A 2009 study conducted at the University of Western Australia in Perth analyzed 2,018 Chinese women. The subjects were divided--one half of the women were diagnosed with breast cancer, the other half not. After adjusting for lifestyle patterns such as exercise, education, weight, diet and smoking, the researchers discovered that the women who consumed 10 gm of mushrooms per day were 64 percent less likely to develop breast cancer. Dried mushrooms were also found to reduce the risk of breast cancer, but fresh mushrooms had the highest protective factor.
Theory of How Mushrooms Prevent Breast Cancer
According to BreastCancer.org, a substance found in mushrooms called linoleic acid inhibits aromatase--an enzyme that affects estrogen levels. High levels of estrogen are associated with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Studies have shown that linoleic acid inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells in the lab along with reducing the occurrence of mammary cancers in rats.
Further Speculation
In addition to the benefits of linoleic acid, mushrooms have been found to strengthen the body's immune system. The immune-strengthening properties of mushrooms may be responsible for blocking tumor development. A study conducted at Tufts University suggests that the natural antiviral properties of mushrooms may repair and protect tissue, thus promoting immune function. In a study conducted at the Beckman Research Institute, mushroom extract was shown to halt the growth of breast cancer cells.
Considerations
The Beckham Institute study further revealed that combining a daily consumption of mushrooms along with green tea suggests a possible reduction of breast cancer risk by almost 90 percent. An abstract of the study reported on Pubmed.com states: "We conclude that higher dietary intake of mushrooms decreased breast cancer risk in pre- and postmenopausal Chinese women and an additional decreased risk of breast cancer from joint effect of mushrooms and green tea was observed."
Summary
The lead author of the Beckham Institute study, Dr. Shiuan Chen, says: "Results from this and other laboratories support the hypothesis that white button mushrooms may be an important dietary constituent for reducing the incidence of hormone-dependent breast cancer in women. Prevention strategies involving mushrooms are readily available, affordable and acceptable to the general public."
