A new study suggests that an important mineral rich in Brazil nuts may help prevent the spread of triple-negative breast cancer.
Research funded by Cancer Research UK suggests that limiting the antioxidant effects of selenium may be a way to control this type of cancer.
Triple-negative breast cancer is difficult to treat, but with therapy and surgery, it can be controlled before it spreads to other parts of the body.
In the past, selenium (an important antioxidant) was thought to be an effective ingredient in the fight against cancer cells.
However, recent research has shown that cancer cells seek out selenium, especially when the cells are thin and distant from the cell mass.
Once these cells have massed, triple-negative breast cancer cells produce a type of lipid molecule that contains oleic acid (commonly found in olive oil). This acid prevents cells from dying when selenium is deficient.
Research has shown that when triple-negative breast cancer cells are non-aggressive (that is, when they are moving to other parts of the body), they cannot survive without selenium.
