Breast pain is suffered by 70% of women but now researchers at the University of Dundee are investigating the power of natural plant compounds to modify the body's response to the female hormone oestrogen and significantly reduce breast pain.
It is also believed that this research will pave the way to develop cancer treatments where plant compounds will increase the efficacy of cancer drugs in the body.
Margaret Ritchie of the Department of Molecular and Cellular pathology has been investigating a group of plant compounds called phyto-oestrogens (PE) which are contained in foods such as soya, seeds, fruits and vegetables. PEs can modify the body's response to the female hormone oestrogen - reducing pain induced by the hormone. Countries like Japan where women eat foods that are high in these plant oestrogens have lower rates of cyclical breast pain.
Ms Ritchie is recruiting pre-menopausal women for a clinical trial to assess the effects of phyto-oestrogen on breast pain. Volunteers will supplement their diets with tablets, some of which will contain active ingredients and participants will be asked to keep a diary of their breast pain over the trial.
It is believed that plant compounds also hold significant long term benefits for cancer sufferers. Margaret Ritchie: "Our hope is that using plant compounds to increase the effects of drugs, the amount of cancer drug to be administered will be reduced. This in turn will reduce costs massively, reduce side effects for patients and reduce long term side effects. Some treatments for leukaemia increase breast cancer risk. By using plant compounds, reducing the amount of drug, we hope to minimise this long term risk."
Margaret Ritchie studied pure chemistry at St Andrews University and took a bachelor of education from Dundee College. She has studied a variety of complementary medicines including herbal medicine and homeopathy and has worked with clinicians in combined treatment of disease./ENDS
For interview or further information contact Margaret Ritchie 01382 496481