cholesterol metabolism fuels estrogen receptor breast cancer

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This is a very recent article. Not sure if it's new news. They are looking at using medicine to change the way we metabolize cholesterol, I couldn't help but think that lowering cholesterol levels is something we have at least some control over, w/ diet and exercise. Maybe this is why Increased dietary fiber and exercise has shown to have an impact on improving outcomes for bc. Not only does it lower the levels of estradiol but also lowers cholesterol.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131107122744.htm

Comments

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2013


    Interesting, thanks for posting.

  • lightandwind
    lightandwind Member Posts: 754
    edited November 2013


    Unfortunately I think it's a little more complicated than simply lowering cholesterol. The type of cholesterol that has been touted "good", by the heart associations (HDL), is apparently the biggest culprit in fueling ER+ bc. Here's some more info.


    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/267300.php


    This actually concerns me a little about olive oil, fish oil, and nuts. I will stay informed on this and post again when there is some more clarification regarding the metabolism of good and bad cholesterol. In the meantime, I do think it is good news that they are pinpointing what else, besides estrogen is fueling breast cancer. I really believe this is an important development.

  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited November 2013


    Cholesterol caught my eye & I read both articles .interesting to me as was just at my final onc follow-up & happened to get a new-to-me-onc who mostly does research but does do follow-up clinics to help the overflow....so, my chance to talk with a researcher! I'd come with the question, so do I go off arimidex and i understand there is controversy and........she said there is no controversy. there is nothing that tells us that 10 yrs is better than 5. In fact, the AIs have their long-term ses such as heart things, osteoporosis..cholesterol........ and she gets more concerned with those. But I'm fat! around the middle! I said, and estrogen is produced by fat! so, she said, maybe you'll get more limber (except for the arthritis) and can exercise! (fat chance I thought but just said hm..........) but, she did plant a thought seed in me......oh, yes, maybe.


    I had not walked much in years because of very painful deformity in foot that felt like I was holding a stone between 2 toes. got that surgeried 2 yrs ago. took time to be able to walk properly, but now i can, but arimidex had me so friggin stiff there were times I thought I'd have to go to tamoxifen......my 5 yrs up in jan - have a bonfire of the arimidex packaging, she suggested, for New years party, but don't burn & inhale pills they might be toxic lol. so, yes, I think I've been prompted to change my outlook & behaviour....so wish I lived in near tropical waters would gladly swim every day.

  • lightandwind
    lightandwind Member Posts: 754
    edited November 2013


    Flannelette, I think there's plenty of reason to stay inspired, although I can see how a hurt foot and cold weather can spoil the inspiration. Maybe a gym membership could be of some benefit for that. They usually have hot tubs to relax an achy body after a workout, and saunas to help sweat out toxins. When it's cold, I head to the sauna.


    BTW, Regarding my concern about nuts...


    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266681.php

  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited November 2013


    I was also excited about this news. It fills in a huge gap.


    Sulphoraphane (from Broccoli and Co.) also lowers cholesterol.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2013


    Light, I had seen that about the HDL, and mine is, indeed, high. In fact, I have a sort of upside-down cholesterol profile, with the HDL much higher than the LDL.

  • lightandwind
    lightandwind Member Posts: 754
    edited November 2013


    Yes, it's really interesting about the cholesterol. It makes me wonder if that is why grapeseed extract has gained some attention and is in clinical trials to study its effects on treating breast cancer. It is said to lower cholesterol as well as inhibit aromatase. This article says it can inhibit bc cells 72%. I wonder if its because of it's action w/ aromatase inhibition, cholesterol lowering action, or some combination.


    http://vitalityinternational.info/benefits-of-grape-seed-extract/

  • Rdrunner
    Rdrunner Member Posts: 309
    edited November 2013


    This research is really interesting.... hmm i wonder about meds like crestor or lipitor and if they effect things. my cardiologist wants me on crestor because of being on tamoxifen.. my cholesterol levels are great in terms of heart disease anyway

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2013


    Rdrunner, if your cholesterol is fine, why does he want you on crestor?

  • Rdrunner
    Rdrunner Member Posts: 309
    edited November 2013


    because tamoxifen does something to lipids,, gosh my brain is fried... i think plaque will still build up or something sorry. Also for me both parents had abdominal aortic anuersym and even though my levels have always been fine.. i still have plaque build up in that spot where most AAA occur. This was before diagnosis of BC. I see him again in January and will ask and make sure i get it this time. He also wants me on 80mg of aspirin a day which i switched to every other day because of stomach.

  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited November 2013


    I got the "get on aspirin and anticholesterol meds" message from my onc in July. He said, "if your internist should see fit to do so." Simvastatin is the one the most people are using, but my internist chose Crestor which I think is not the same and is still under patent.

  • Rdrunner
    Rdrunner Member Posts: 309
    edited November 2013


    Mary i know it had to be crestor specifically for a reason.. i believe there was research done on it in terms of using it with tamoxifen.. will have to find it tomorrow and will let you guys know.

  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited November 2013

    I've recently read what Momine described in regards to elevated HDL levels - some breast cancer link there.  My concern with the statins is they lower LDL and may increase HDL which is already elevated over 100.  Frustrating because taking Femara have caused my cholesterol levels to increase.....  Now what - take more drugs?

     

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23833125

    http://www.fhcrc.org/en/news/spotlight/imports/long-term-use-of-statins-and-postmenopausal-breast-cancer-risk--.html

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2013


    cp418, femara made my chol. go up too. It had inched up to 200, and my onc was beginning to talk statins if it got any worse. I was able to drop it to 170 by limiting eggs, meat and cheese and making sure I got enough exercise (for me that means a total of about 1.5 hours a day). My idea is to get by without additional drugs as long as possible.

  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited November 2013

    Momine - I hear you.  I'm very frustrated as I only eat poultry, seafood, lots of salads, minimal cheese and eggs - daily cereal for fiber/fruit.  Mine has now reached total 239 and I am fighting to stay off statins.  HDL 112.  The LDL keeps creeaping up.....  Exercise - daily long brisk walks and outside barn chores 7 days/wk plus riding with good weather.  I'm convinced it is genetic condition as I understand we take in 20% of our dietary cholesterol and 80% is our own metabalism.  I need to find something other than statins and red yeast to help me.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2013


    CP, and I hear you. So far the diet/exercise thing is working for me, but cholesterol is a weird thing, and I think you are right that a lot of it is genetic.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2013


    CP, thanks so much for that link. May come in handy if my onc starts talking statins again.

  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited November 2013
  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2013


    Argh! Well, I hope they hash it out before I have to start deciding about this.

  • lightandwind
    lightandwind Member Posts: 754
    edited November 2013


    Memorial Sloan Kettering talks about how lycium barbarum (goji) inhibits the growth of ER + breast cancer cells, has "antitumor' and "antiproliferative" properties. It also talks about how it "prevents cholesterol absorption in the gastrointestinal tract."


    This other article discusses the effect of lycium barbarum on estrogen metabolism. Seems if it could be useful for all of these, then it could possibly be of some benefit.


    MSK does say that it hasn't been tested for safety and also, to me, it seems logical that it could possibly interfere w/ hormonal meds. Really thought it was interesting what it said about the cholesterol though.


    http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/herb/lycium


    http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/meeting_abstract/71/24_MeetingAbstracts/P3-09-04

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