Breast cancer treatment could soon include a drug which is normally part of diabetic
medication.
Researchers at Seoul National University have found that metformin can help
reduce the risk of breast cancer by preventing some carcinogens from initiating
the growth of tumour cells.
The doctors believe this finding is especially relevant as sufferers of type
2 diabetes often have a higher chance of developing several forms of the
disease, such as breast, liver and pancreatic cancer.
Professor James Trosko said that although more work needed to be done,
metformin appears to prevent oestrogen and man-made chemicals from turning stem
cells cancerous.
"This study reveals the need to determine if the drug might be used as
a preventive drug and for individuals who have no indication of any existing
cancers," he added.
According to Cancer Research UK, breast cancer is the most common form of
the disease in the UK and 12,116 deaths were attributed to the illness in 2008.
© Adfero Ltd
Cancer treatment news : 25 November 2011
