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Did You Know That Breast Cancer Cells Can Also Give In To “Peer Pressure”?

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Rolando Cabral • 42 Comments

breastcancercells

There’s been a lot of discoveries introduced lately about cancer, its cause and potential cure. It is, however, strange to know that its proliferation can be influenced by its surrounding environment. Sounds like “peer pressure” right?

The Research

Professor Mina Bissell of University of California Berkeley and her team discovered that the conversion of a normal cell into a cancer cell depends on the nature of its surroundings. Principal investigator, Daniel Fletcher (Professor of Bio-Engineering at UC Berkeley) stated that;

“We are showing that tissue organization is sensitive to mechanical inputs from the environment at the beginning stages of growth and development. An early signal, in the form of compression, appears to get these malignant cells back on the right track.”

They found out that exerting mechanical pressure to the breast cancer cells forces them to return to its normal state (Healthy Breast Tissue).The results of their research were presented to the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology in San Francisco.

Cancer-Fighting Compression Bra is not Recommended

The researchers, however, don’t suggest creating a cancer fighting compression bra.  “Compression, in and of itself, is not likely to be a therapy,” said Fletcher. “But this does give us new clues to track down the molecules and structures that could eventually be targeted for therapies.”

read more from UC Berkeley News Center

To revert breast cancer cells, give them the squeeze

 

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