Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

This one is for Caroline, but not only. Enjoy!

Wine May Fight Cancer, But How?

Posted: February 17, 2010

Numerous medical studies have produced evidence that wine may help prevent cancer, but now, some scientists are presenting a new

theory on the science behind its cancer-fighting properties. Their research may help develop new therapies.

The evidence that wine can help fight some cancers has been growing for several years. (At the same time, some studies have shown

alcohol, especially in excess, increases the risk of some cancers.) But researchers have struggled to understand why. Many theories

speculated that antioxidants in wines, including compounds like resveratrol, have something to do with it. Antioxidants may reduce the

stress of chemical processes in the body. But scientists have struggled to find evidence that the compounds in wine play such a role.

William Li, president and medical director at the Angiogenesis Foundation, disagrees with the antioxidant theory. In his recent presentation

at the TED Conference, an innovation summit, he argued that research shows that some compounds in wine-including resveratrol-

function as antiangiogenic inhibitors, and those are the real cancer fighters.

Antiangiogenic inhibitors are substances that prevent the growth of new blood vessels. Because growing tumors need new blood vessels in

order to survive and spread, antiangiogenic inhibitors can suppress tumor growth. (Blood vessels are not usually built elsewhere in an adult

body unless tissue repair is actively in process.)

Antiangiogenics have proven so effective at fighting cancer that they make up many of the cancer medications already on the market.

Identifying antiangiogenics inhibitors as the main source of wine's health effects widens the range of wines that contribute to cancer

reduction. What's more, scientists are currently looking at antiangiogenic inhibitors as a treatment for chronic obesity, because they can

suppress blood vessel growth in fatty tissue.

"There are very few studies that show an antioxidant approach in diet creates better health," said Li. "An angiogenesis approach has already

been embraced by the medical community as improving disease outcomes, including cancer."

In his research, Li discovered that compounds like resveratrol prevented the development of cancer-feeding blood vessels by as much as

60 percent. And since unhealthy fat growth requires the same kind of blood vessel development as tumors, a diet rich in antiangiogenic

compounds fights flab just as effectively as it fights cancer.

Other experiments Li performed on teas showed that foods previously identified as high in antioxidants were not necessarily high in

antiangiogenics. While the antioxidant approach identified red wine as the healthier drink, Li believes that an antiangiogenic approach could

discover similar health benefits in white wine as well.

"The anti-cancer power of many foods is mistakenly attributed to antioxidants," said Richard Beliveau, director of molecular medicine at the

University of Quebec and author of Food to Fight Cancer. "Antiangeogentic activity is much more important than antioxidant activity in

preventing cancer."

The argument continues to divide researchers, however. While Jack Losso, professor of food science at Louisiana State University, doesn't

dispute Beliveau's assertion, he does not advocate fully ignoring antioxidants in favor of antiangiogenics.

"Cancer is like a basketball team-you can't beat it with one player," said Losso. "I say resveratrol is like Michael Jordan. In Chicago, he had

a good coach and good teammates, and they had a parade every year. He goes to Washington, and they never win. You need antioxidants

and antiangiogenics."

Li said he plans to continue to investigate the antiangiogenic properties of wine. Over the next two years, Li hopes to assemble a

comparative grape and wine registry that identifies all of the antiangiogenic compounds in wine, their potencies, and their relative

abundance in different types of wines and grapes. "By examining the potential of antiangeogenics in food, we will find answers to cancer all

around us," he said. "In our groceries, in our food, and in our glasses."

And yes, I do drink wine so the posting is biased.

Thanks Havehope, just what I wanted to hear Even though I wasn't about to cut the wine, I did feel like I should because of the breast cancer, now I don't feel bad about it at all

Havehope - thanks for the wine post.  I still enjoy my glass of wine.  Mandy!! How are you?

Hi Colleen.  I don't have any problems having a couple beers or a few glasses of wine.  However, I feel like I live in a state of constant Tamoxifen induced redness and on fire skin.  My staff has given me paper fans, little battery fans and just fan me with pads of paper.  It's just really embarrassing when a cute doctor comes in and I have a sever hot flash.  Only a little more than 4 years left of that.  

Prayers to you Caroline, your MIL and all your family and friends. 

Caroline, I'm very sorry for your loss. I know you must be feeling this very heavily.

Colleen, no problems drinking here. Just wish I could go back to my one nightly glass of wine but all the stats have me frightened to do so. I stick to 2 per week and believe me when I say I cherish them! 

Thanks everyone, the funeral was today, it's been a long & rough day, but we made it through. The worst has yet to come for her hubby & kids when all the comotion is over and all family leaves. She was a well loved and appreciated lady, I've never seen such a packed funeral before! She will be greatly missed

Caroline, sorry for your loss.

I have a follow-up appt with my medical oncologist today. Anyone else still going every 3 months? He has me go for a blood test right before including CBC and tumor markers.

My breast surgeon wanted to see me every 6 months. My radiation oncologist wanted to see me every 3 months. I can't see the value of having 3 doctors do a manual check of my lymph nodes and skin and send me on my way. I take time off work for each of these visits and it just seems excessive.

So I've decided to just see my medical oncologist unless I have a specific reason to see one of the others.

Thanks Mandy!

I had a 1 month follow-up with my rad onc. Med. onc, I see every 6 months, and BS wants me in every year. She saw me 6 month past surgery, than I had my mammo on the one year mark. She didn't ask for the mammo every 6 month so I'm not complaining. Hey, the less they want to see me, the happier I am! Of course, I could ask to see them more, but I'm not worried and it actually caused me anxiety last time I was in, so as long as I'm feeling great with no worries, I'm happy not going to the doctor I guess every doctors is different.

I'm supposed to see my med onc every 6 months.  Next appt in June.  I don't believe I'll go.  All he does is ask me how I'm doing, feels under my arms and feels my new fake boobs and says ok.  See you in 6 months.  No scans, no blood work, no tumor marker tests.  I don't see the point in going.  Just more money out of my pocket.  I'll see my gyn in June and she will do a lymph and breast manual exams.  Plus the other fun stuff.  I think I'll get my file from my current onc and see someone else if I ever have to. 

Texas, is post surgery.

Thanks HaveHope!

Havehope:  thanks for posting the article. It gives me alot to think about.