Bacteria may play a role in breast cancer
TORONTO ─ Good bacteria has been hailed as an antidote to all that ails the stomach, but it turns out the tiny heroes might also play a role in fighting breast cancer.
Yes, breast cancer. If that sounds unlikely, you're not alone ─ London researchers dipped into their discretionary funds after organizations that fund breast cancer research said no.
"It probably sounded too far-fetched," said Dr. Gregor Reid, a professor of microbiology and immunology and surgery at Western University and an endowed chair at the Lawson Health Research Institute.
Reid has studied the role of bacteria in the vagina, but more recently, he wondered about bacteria researchers in Spain found in breast milk.
He expected to find bacteria in and near the nipple, but then came the surprise: In women with breast cancer, there was bacteria near the tumour deep within the breast.
"The findings open a completely new avenue for this important disease," said Reid. "Imagine if women have (bacteria) in the breast that puts them at higher risk of cancer? Or, if various drugs such as antibiotics or birth control pills alter the types of bacteria and their risk of cancer?"
The study, Microbiota of Human Breast Tissue is published online, in advance of the May issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Reid next plans to find out what role the bacteria play -- is their placement coincidental, a result of cancer or a cause of cancer?
He hopes the research effort to combat breast cancer takes note.