If you could do one little thing to help prevent cancer, wouldn’t it be worth a try? It could even be a small thing, perhaps something as simple as brewing a cup of tea in the morning. Oh wait – it is that simple! A new study reveals that drinking green tea may help protect against breast cancer. Find out more about this exciting discovery . . .

Breast Cancer is on the rise in women and men (yes, men can get breast cancer too) and you need all the help you can get to protect yourself from this disease.  This new study has shown that the green tea antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin-3gallate) slowed breast cancer growth significantly in female mice.

There have been other studies that suggest that this antioxidant could protect against breast cancer and other cancers; however, the results have been limited and unclear.
Let’s take a look at the new details of this recent study . . .

The Study
The results of the study, presented at the Experimental Biology 2008 conference, revealed that tea’s anti-cancer effects may be mainly because of the high content of EGCG. This antioxidant helps the body’s cells from becoming damaged and aging prematurely.

Researchers examined the green tea antioxidant effects on the cancer growth in laboratory mice.  A group of female mice were fed a solution of the antioxidant in water for five weeks.  Another group received plain drinking water.  During the second week, the mice were injected with breast cancer cells.

Researchers measured the tumor size, weight and density as well as VEGF protein levels that were associated with the tumor growth.

Results of the green tea antioxidant decreased the tumor size by 66% and weight by 68% compared to the control group.  The mice fed the antioxidant also had significantly lower density of small blood vessels within tumors and VEGF protein levels.

Researcher Jian-Wei Gu, of the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, says “the green tea antioxidant may work against breast cancer by suppressing blood vessel growth in breast tumors as well as slowing the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells.”

Breast Cancer Facts
Breast cancer is a cancer that forms in the tissue of the breast, usually in the ducts, which are tubes that carry milk to the nipple and lobules (glands that make milk).  It does occur in men, but it is rare.

It has been estimated that there will be 182,460 new cases for females and 40,480 deaths of females with breast cancer in the United States in 2008.  Men are estimated at 1,990 new cases and 450 deaths.

It is very important that this disease is detected early.  The earlier it is caught, the better the chances are for survival. 

There are some things you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer.  One of the most important things you can actively do is give yourself a breast exam each and every month.  And now, another thing you can do is increase your green tea intake!

So, go ahead . . . grab a cup of green tea to help protect yourself against breast cancer!