Comments on: Diet linked to changes in breast cancer DNA http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/diet-linked-to-changes-in-breast-cancer-dna/ Research news from leading universities Sun, 26 May 2013 05:31:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Bonnie Van Gilder http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/diet-linked-to-changes-in-breast-cancer-dna/comment-page-1/#comment-17095 Bonnie Van Gilder Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:03:08 +0000 http://www.futurity.org/?p=15865#comment-17095 Wow -- this sounds like it could be really interesting. But, unless the reader is a scientist it is impossible to read. For example, take a look at this graph: "Epigenetics refers to the control of patterns of gene expression in cells, which give rise to the necessary differences responsible for creating the complex and interacting tissues in the body." .... "gene expression".... come on, surely there is someone in Brown's press department that can translate interesting science into every day language. Wow — this sounds like it could be really interesting. But, unless the reader is a scientist it is impossible to read. For example, take a look at this graph:
“Epigenetics refers to the control of patterns of gene expression in cells, which give rise to the necessary differences responsible for creating the complex and interacting tissues in the body.” …. “gene expression”…. come on, surely there is someone in Brown’s press department that can translate interesting science into every day language.

]]> By: emc2 http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/diet-linked-to-changes-in-breast-cancer-dna/comment-page-1/#comment-16787 emc2 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:47:44 +0000 http://www.futurity.org/?p=15865#comment-16787 Took suggestion of v and tried to read the article. So the story is really about whether hyper/hypomethylation of DNA can be used as an indicator of cancer and of cancer staging, and not really about alcohol/folate. That said, since both hyper and hypomethylation of DNA happen in cancer (another article), this article is still indecipherable, with increased alcohol consumption associated in one direction and increased folate in another, but both linked to cancer. I guess I'll wait for the movie. Took suggestion of v and tried to read the article. So the story is really about whether hyper/hypomethylation of DNA can be used as an indicator of cancer and of cancer staging, and not really about alcohol/folate. That said, since both hyper and hypomethylation of DNA happen in cancer (another article), this article is still indecipherable, with increased alcohol consumption associated in one direction and increased folate in another, but both linked to cancer. I guess I’ll wait for the movie.

]]> By: v http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/diet-linked-to-changes-in-breast-cancer-dna/comment-page-1/#comment-16693 v Tue, 03 Aug 2010 07:17:27 +0000 http://www.futurity.org/?p=15865#comment-16693 You can read the paper by following the links from Brown's news page. I looked at the graphs. It reads, "(A) There is a trend toward decreased methylation with increasing alcohol intake. (B) There is a trend toward increased methylation with increasing dietary folate." From what I gather on page 5 of the paper, increased methylation is associated increasing tumor size for some CpG loci. The paper notes that folate has not been proven to provide any protection. I have no biological, medical or statistics knowledge, so please be aware that I don't know what I'm talking about and may say something incorrect. You can read the paper by following the links from Brown’s news page. I looked at the graphs. It reads, “(A) There is a trend toward decreased methylation with increasing alcohol intake. (B) There is a trend toward increased methylation with increasing dietary folate.” From what I gather on page 5 of the paper, increased methylation is associated increasing tumor size for some CpG loci. The paper notes that folate has not been proven to provide any protection.

I have no biological, medical or statistics knowledge, so please be aware that I don’t know what I’m talking about and may say something incorrect.

]]> By: emc2 http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/diet-linked-to-changes-in-breast-cancer-dna/comment-page-1/#comment-16533 emc2 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:17:50 +0000 http://www.futurity.org/?p=15865#comment-16533 What does this mean? Is there some reason this summary does not answer the big questions it raises, as in, what is the effect of alcohol and diet on breast cancer tumors. The article states these factors are independently associated with the epigenetic profile of the tumor. I know basic stats and biomedical terms. I'm still at a loss. What does this mean? Is there some reason this summary does not answer the big questions it raises, as in, what is the effect of alcohol and diet on breast cancer tumors. The article states these factors are independently associated with the epigenetic profile of the tumor. I know basic stats and biomedical terms. I’m still at a loss.

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