Eating and Drinking Cancer Away…
by Darren Dahl

Breast cancer rages like an epidemic among us; it is now the second leading cause of death among women next to heart disease. Breast cancer now counts 2.6 million women as its victims, about one in eight Americans, many of whom don’t know they have cancer [1]. But there may be hope, a City of Hope, where a team of researchers may have found a way to beat breast cancer simply by filling our bellies with grilled portabella and sautéed shiitake, partnered with a few sips of vintage merlot.

Since 1913, the California-based City of Hope Cancer Center’s (COH) pioneering research and treatments have provided hope in our battles with life-threatening diseases like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and cancer. Recent studies, funded by the American Institute of Cancer Research and headed by COH’s Dr. Shiuan Chen, have targeted cancer-causing culprits like the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for regulating our body’s estrogen production [2]. Scientists have flagged estrogen and aromatase as the leading culprits in sparking cancer growth; excessive estrogen levels, or hyperestrogenemia, have repeatedly been linked with cancerous breast tissue [3]. Armed with these facts, Dr. Chen and COH went after a hormone-controlling cure.

COH researchers began their research by investigating which vegetables played a role in suppressing the human body’s estrogen levels. Although culinary favorites green onions, celery, bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli proved themselves as essential ingredients to a vitamin-filled diet, there was no correlation with estrogen or aromatase levels. But, when the team turned to studying mushrooms and grapes – they felt like they had struck cancer-fighting gold.

In tests designed to analyze the impact of portabello, crimini, and button mushrooms along with red grape juice, red wine, grape seed extract on aromatase levels, the COH researchers found something extraordinary; the more mushrooms and grape juice their lab mice consumed, the less aromatase and estrogen they produced. The initial research results can be boiled down into simple logic; lower estrogen levels means a lower probability of contracting breast cancer. You don’t need a PhD to understand that kind of math.

With their promising results in hand, Dr. Chen and the COH team have begun to embark on a new two-year study to unearth the specific components in mushrooms and grapes that inhibit estrogen production. In the meantime, let’s not forget that eating grapes and mushrooms jam-packs us with nutrients, vitamins, and anti-oxidants that help combat infections, prostate cancer, coronary heart disease, and cardiovascular disease. Sure, we may see a wonder-drug on our supermarket shelves in two-years, but where’s the fun in popping pills? Personally, I’m looking forward to eating and drinking my way to a cancer-free life…

As a matter of fact, the City of Hope is providing the ideal opportunity to experience what a cancer-free life could taste like: Hope à la Carte - Manhattan’s must-attend event of 2003. On September 17, 2003 in the Waldorf=Astoria, a collection of New York’s finest chefs will be serving up mouth-watering mushroom and grape-themed dishes that will do their part in the battle against breast cancer.

The dinner, at ($250?) a head, should bring in quite a bit of money - all of which is going towards cancer research. The proceeds will go directly to the City of Hope, an organization whose aim for the 21st century is nothing less than to win the fight against cancer (To find out more about this event, click here.) For 90 years, City of Hope's medical discoveries have brought hope and healing to people everywhere. Many of the procedures used in medical centers throughout the world such as bone marrow transplantation were pioneered at City of Hope. Recent advances in genetic research and molecular medicine, combined with state-of-the-art facilities and an environment that nurtures the best and brightest thinkers, foretell an even more promising future. The philanthropic spirit of our hundreds of thousands of volunteers nationwide provides the support that enables our doctors and researchers to continue their lifesaving work. And with your support, we will meet the goal.

Let the debate begin.