"Previous research has shown that flaxseed may contain compounds that protect postmenopausal women from breast cancer," Leah Williamson, a Masters researcher at RMIT's Department of Food Science, said.
"These compounds, called phytoestrogens, work at lowering levels of estrogens linked to breast cancer. Flaxseed is particularly high in one such phytoestrogen, called lignan, which is believed to reduce the enzymes and the estrogens that cause the breast to produce potentially cancerous cells.
"We are collaborating with Melrose Laboratories to studying the potential benefits of flaxseed in reducing the risk of breast cancer."
Today, one in twelve Australian women will develop breast cancer, making it the most common cancer and one of the most prevalent diseases on Australian women.
"The aim of the research is to assess the relationship between flaxseed and breast cancer, and suggest diets that can be incorporated into the lifestyle of women at risk of breast cancer," Ms Williamson said.
"Our goal is to lower breast cancer risk and improve long-term quality of life."
The RMIT study, titled "Effect of Flaxseed Lignans on Biomarkers of Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women", is seeking postmenopausal women in metropolitan Melbourne. Participants must be healthy, not on hormone replacement therapy, non-smokers and at least one year menopausal.
In addition to consuming their normal 'Western' diet and fewer than five alcoholic drinks and no more than three caffeinated beverages per day, the women will provide urine and blood samples for evaluation. Their body weights will be measured and self-reported diet records monitored.
Women interested in taking part in the study should contact Leah Williamson on (03) 9925 3967 or leah.williamsonrmit.au
rmit.au/
The average age of the groups was 48 for treatment seekers; 45 for non-treatment seekers; and 35 for normal weight people. The balance between men and women varied between the groups. About 53 percent of the obese treatment seekers were women, rising to 67 percent in the obese non-treatment group and 71 percent in the normal weight group.
The most significant differences were between normal weight people and obese people seeking treatment at the Duke Diet & Fitness Center. Only 2 percent of the normal weight group reported sometimes, usually or always feeling no desire for sex, compared to 50 percent of obese treatment seekers. Additionally, 42 percent said they sometimes, usually or always had sexual function problems and 41 percent said they avoided sex; the responses were 1.8 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, in the normal weight group.
The group of obese people who weren't seeking to lose weight didn't experience sexual quality of life issues as frequently as people at the Duke Diet & Fitness Center, however, the rates in this group were significantly higher than for normal weight persons. About 29 percent said they sometimes, usually or always felt no desire for sex or had problems with sexual function, and 24 percent said they avoided sex. But the response was nearly equal in one category “ 28 percent of treatment seekers and 30 percent of non-treatment seekers said they sometimes, usually or always did not enjoy sex, compared to 3.9 percent of normal weight people.
dukemednews/