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Breast
Cancer
Articles
Study demonstrates
role of exercise in modifying melatonin levels
Increase
believed to offer breast cancer
protection
Toronto, ON – December 1, 2005:
Moderate physical activity, which is
believed to help reduce the
risk of breast cancer, may do so because
it increases production of a hormone believed to have protective
effects against the disease, a Canadian research team has learned.
Researchers at Mount Sinai
Hospital's Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute in Toronto have
completed a study of how light and other factors, such as physical
activity, influence the production of melatonin – a hormone released
mainly at night in the absence of light and believed to protect
against
breast cancer. The findings of the study have been published
in the December 1, 2005 edition of the American Journal of
Epidemiology.
The study is among the first to
demonstrate the role of physical activity in potentially modifying
melatonin levels, thus creating biological evidence for a reduced
risk of breast cancer among women who exercise regularly.
"If we know that increased
melatonin production could be an underlying reason for the
protective effects of physical activity against breast cancer, then
there is great opportunity for the scientific community to build on
this knowledge and help women understand what steps they can take to
reduce their risk of developing the disease," said Dr. Julia Knight,
the study's lead investigator at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research
Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital and a University of Toronto
professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences.
The study, funded through the
Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance with special funding from
the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Chapter to study the
modifiable risk factors for breast cancer, took place between 2002
and 2004 and involved the participation of 213 female volunteers
whose melatonin levels were monitored over time.
"Our focus on primary prevention
research was initiated with the long-term goal of building knowledge
about how to stop breast cancer before it starts," said Sharon Wood,
Executive Director of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation -
Ontario Chapter. "We are encouraged by the findings of Dr. Knight's
work, which could provide momentum for lifestyle changes that could
lead to a healthier population and potentially reduce the incidence
of breast cancer."
About the Canadian Breast Cancer
Research Alliance
The Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance is the primary granting
agency for breast cancer research in Canada. Since its inception in
1993, CBCRA has awarded $138 million to support 414 projects
spanning the spectrum of breast cancer research, including
prevention, early detection, treatment and care. CBCRA is a unique
Canadian partnership of groups from the public, private and
non-profit sectors committed to reducing the incidence of breast
cancer, increasing survival, and enhancing the lives of those
affected by the disease. CBCRA's members include: the Avon Flame
Foundation, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Canadian Breast
Cancer Network, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Institutes of
Health Research, Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada,
and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.
About the Canadian Breast Cancer
Foundation
As the leading national volunteer-based organization dedicated to
creating a future without breast cancer, the Canadian Breast Cancer
Foundation works collaboratively to fund, support and advocate for
relevant and innovative breast cancer research; meaningful education
and awareness programs; early diagnosis and effective treatment; and
a positive quality of life for those living with breast cancer.
Since 1986, the Foundation has allocated millions of dollars to
breast cancer research, projects and support services. It is
supported by four regional Chapters: BC/Yukon, Prairies/NWT,
Ontario, and Atlantic. Fundraising is done on a regional basis, with
funds allocated for programs unique to the needs and priorities of
each region.
About Mount Sinai Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital is recognized nationally and internationally
for its excellence in the provision of compassionate patient care,
teaching and research. Its key priority programs are Women's and
Infants' Health, Surgical Subspecialties and Oncology, Internal
Medicine and Subspecialties, and the Samuel Lunenfeld Research
Institute. It is a University of Toronto-affiliated patient care,
teaching and research centre.
About The Samuel Lunenfeld
Research Institute
Established in 1985, the SLRI at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto is
one of the world's leading centres for biomedical research. The
Institute is part of Mount Sinai Hospital, an internationally
recognized 440-bed acute care academic health centre affiliated with
the University of Toronto. SLRI has 513 research, administrative and
support staff, 100,000 square feet of laboratory space and a
25,000-square-foot pre-clinical research lab. For more information
about SLRI research, visit
www.mshri.on.ca.
Media contacts: Joanne Woodward
Fraser
Mount Sinai Hospital
416-586-4800 x8306
jwoodward@mtsinai.on.ca
Lisa Marchitto
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
416-815-1313 x500
lmarchitto@cbcf.org
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