Rachel writes:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/news/2010/cleveland_clinic_researchers_develop
_prototype_vaccine_to_prevent_breast_cancer.aspx
~~~
Quote: "The key, Dr. Tuohy said, is to find a target within the tumor that
is not typically found in a healthy person. In the case of breast cancer,
Dr. Tuohy and his research team targeted α-lactalbumin – a protein that is
found in the majority of breast cancers, but is not found in healthy women,
except during lactation. Therefore, the vaccine can rev up a woman’s
immune system to target α-lactalbumin – thus stopping tumor formation – without
damaging healthy breast tissue. The strategy would be to vaccinate women
over 40 – when breast cancer risk begins to increase and pregnancy becomes
less likely. (If a woman would become pregnant after being vaccinated, she
would experience breast soreness and would likely have to choose not to
breast feed.) For younger women with a heightened risk of breast cancer, the
vaccine may be an option to consider instead of prophylactic mastectomy."
Rachel,
Thanks for the link. I find it interesting how slightly lactation matters
in this paragraph. Well it's not found in HEALTHY women, uh unless they are
breastfeeding...Breastfeeding women are normal healthy women experiencing a
normal life stage. Still, I appreciate the fact that the vaccine might be
offered to women past their choice childbearing age. Certainly a woman
could have a baby at 40+, and get vaccinated when the baby is done
breastfeeding, I would think. I also appreciate the fact that they "compare" it with
double mastectomy prophylaxis in younger women, which is obviously a radical
and irreversible solution as well so not to be entered into lightly. Again,
thanks for the extra info. Forewarned is forearmed informationwise.
Peace,
Judy
Judy LeVan Fram, PT, IBCLC, LLLL
Brooklyn, NY, USA
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