Ovarian Cancer Protection From Gingko Plus Another Suprising Source...

A friend of mine broke her leg just this past summer. After watching her struggle to get around and go through the healing process, I wouldn't wish a broken bone on anyone.

But it seems that anyone unfortunate enough to have broken a bone, like my friend, may be able to eliminate any future worries about ovarian cancer. But more on this later.

First lets look at what you can do to help prevent ovarian cancer from developing.

Lower your risk of ovarian cancer by 60 percent with gingko

Fortunately, there are other ways to help prevent ovarian cancer for those of us who haven't been unlucky enough to break a bone.

In a study conducted at the Brigham and Womens Hospital, in the US, researchers examined the use of herbs in treating ovarian cancers.

Scientists looked at over 1,200 women, half of who had ovarian cancer. After six months, the women who took herbal gingko biloba had a 60 percent lower risk for ovarian cancer.

The women in the study commonly used gingko, Echinacea, St Johns Wort, ginseng and chondroitin. But analysis showed that only gingko was linked to ovarian cancer prevention.

Women who had non-mucinous ovarian cancers had an even more pronounced preventative effect, with the data showing a reduced risk by 65 to70 percent.

The scientists discovered that the most active components that contributed to gingkos protective effects were ginkgolides A and B.

Lead researcher, Dr Bin Ye stated that, In the future, these findings could potentially offer a new strategy for ovarian cancer prevention and therapy, using the active forms of ginkgolides.

Get up and get moving

There have been several studies focusing on exercise benefits for breast and colon cancers, but few on ovarian cancerhowever not anymore.

A recent study found that that regular moderate exercise and work-related physical activity may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Canadian researchers looked at over 2,500 women, 442 who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The scientists had their patients fill out questionnaires asking details about physical activity.

The results showed a decrease in risk of ovarian cancer with high levels of moderate exercise, but not for vigorous activity. Women with jobs that required moderate or strenuous activity also experienced a reduction in ovarian cancer risk compared with those who worked in sedentary occupations.

Sometimes I find it hard to motivate myself to exercise. Next time Im struggling to get to the gym, I'll remind myself of this study and the many benefits of exercise.

Surprisingly, broken bones could lead to ovarian cancer prevention

Research conducted at Brigham and Womens Hospital, in Boston, and the University of Pittsburgh, in the US, suggests that broken bones may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Scientists discovered that certain life events lead to an elevation of a protein called MUC1. These events include bone fractures, use of intrauterine device (IUD), development of osteoporosis, and several types of gynaecological surgery.

MUC1 is produced by healthy cells that line the reproductive organs, the breast, intestine and airways. Bone marrow cells that might be released from a bone fracture also generate the MUC1 protein.

Ovarian cancer cells also may produce MUC1, but with a slight deviation. The MUC1 produced by cancer, lacks much of the glycosylation which is the process of adding sugar to proteins and lipids.

Cancer cells will often shed the hypoglycosylated MUC1 proteins and they enter your blood, where your immune system will recognise the cancer-related protein and generate antibodies against it.

The researchers believe that the risk for ovarian cancer might be reduced by pre-existing MUC1-specific immunity. The MUC1 produced due to injury has a similar deviation as the cancer related MUC1, so your immune system may in fact generate antibodies and perhaps immune cells against the protein, which may be effective in helping eliminate very early stage ovarian cancer tumours.

Now, Im not recommending that anyone go out and break a bone in order to lower the risk of developing ovarian cancer. But it is interesting to know, especially if youve ever broken a bone, that you may have a leg up (pun intended) in possible ovarian cancer prevention.