Can eating your greens help beat cancer?
8 May 2001
Researchers from the Hunter Medical Research Institute in New South Wales have discovered what may be a clue to the prevention and treatment of cancer. They have found a revolutionary new way to stop the growth of cancer cells in a laboratory.
And it seems that it is best to eat up your greens after all!
Professor Allan Spigelman and Dr Hamid Frydoon Far have identified compounds contained in certain vegetables that have stopped the growth of colon cancer cells.
The vegetables were from the cruciferous vegetable group, which includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and bok choy.
The researchers tested a compound found in these vegetables and discovered that it stopped the growth of cancer cells in a test tube.
‘We believe we may have found a mechanism by which these vegetables protect individuals against colon cancer,’ Professor Spigelman said.
‘We are now conducting a clinical trial to validate the results where we hope to see the same action taking place in the human body as in the test tube.’
According to the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Guidelines for Prevention, Early Diagnosis and Management of Colorectal Cancer 1999, one of the most promising scientific avenues of pursuit is characterising the active components of protective vegetables.
The preliminary findings of the Australian research were presented at the International Hereditary Bowel Cancer Conference in Venice in late April and will be presented again at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons' Annual Scientific Conference in Canberra this week.
Last Reviewed: 09 May 2001
