https://www.yahoo.com/beauty/breast-milk-latest-cancer-treatment-161252298.html
Scientists accidentally discovered a potential new treatment for cancer in breast milk. (Photo: Getty Images)
The health benefits of breast milk have long been touted, but experts are now testing whether a compound found in mother’s milk could help treat cancer.
The accidental discovery of the effects of a breast milk compound, nicknamed “Hamlet” by scientists, could mean a more effective and targeted way to kill cancerous tumor cells.
Researchers from the University of Lunt in Sweden have revealed some positive results after studying the effects Hamlet has on bladder cancer patients. In the early trials, those injected with the compound began to shed dead tumor cells through their urine within days.
“There’s something magical about Hamlet’s ability to target tumor cells and kill them,” Dr. Catharina Svanborg told the Daily Mail.
But the discovery came completely by accident while the team was researching antibiotics.
“We were looking for novel antimicrobial agents, and new breast milk is a very good source of these,” Svanborg continued. “During one experiment we needed human cells and bacteria to be present, and we chose human tumor cells for practical reasons.”
“To our amazement,” she added, “when we added this compound of milk, the tumor cells died. It was a totally serendipitous discovery.”
Amazing what Mother's milk can do.
But will this treatment ever see the day light? Will big pharma companies let this happen?
Scientists accidentally discovered a potential new treatment for cancer in breast milk. (Photo: Getty Images)
The health benefits of breast milk have long been touted, but experts are now testing whether a compound found in mother’s milk could help treat cancer.
The accidental discovery of the effects of a breast milk compound, nicknamed “Hamlet” by scientists, could mean a more effective and targeted way to kill cancerous tumor cells.
Researchers from the University of Lunt in Sweden have revealed some positive results after studying the effects Hamlet has on bladder cancer patients. In the early trials, those injected with the compound began to shed dead tumor cells through their urine within days.
“There’s something magical about Hamlet’s ability to target tumor cells and kill them,” Dr. Catharina Svanborg told the Daily Mail.
But the discovery came completely by accident while the team was researching antibiotics.
“We were looking for novel antimicrobial agents, and new breast milk is a very good source of these,” Svanborg continued. “During one experiment we needed human cells and bacteria to be present, and we chose human tumor cells for practical reasons.”
“To our amazement,” she added, “when we added this compound of milk, the tumor cells died. It was a totally serendipitous discovery.”
Amazing what Mother's milk can do.
But will this treatment ever see the day light? Will big pharma companies let this happen?
