New study investigates use of soy-rich diet for preventing chronic pain after breast cancer surgery
Montreal, September 1, 2010 - The potential
health benefits associated with a soy-rich diet have been a source
of interest and debate for many years. Several studies have hinted
at its great potential for relieving post-traumatic and osteopathic
pain. Now, a breakthrough study, focusing on the benefits of soy in
the prevention of chronic pain after breast cancer surgery, has
been launched by researchers at the Alan Edwards Pain Management
Unit of the 看片视频 University Health Centre (MUHC) and 看片视频
University.
鈥淚f we can demonstrate that a soy-rich pre-surgery diet, is both
safe and effective for the prevention of chronic post-surgical
pain, the clinical implications will be significant and could help
many women around the world,鈥 explains Dr. Yoram Shir, principal
investigator of the study and Director of the MUHC Alan Edwards
Pain Management Unit, who is also a Professor of Anesthesia and
Edwards Chair in Clinical Pain at 看片视频
Chronic pain after breast cancer surgery is the most common cause
for long-term morbidity in women diagnosed with breast cancer, with
an incidence that can be higher than 50%. This pain can be
resistant to treatment and last for years, burdening women with its
physical, emotional and social consequences. This new National
Institutes of Health-funded study will determine if a diet enriched
with soy protein, consumed by women for two weeks prior to surgery,
could prevent the development of chronic pain. "If shown to be
efficacious, this would be a natural and safe preventive treatment
that is easily incorporated into the everyday diet,鈥 says Dr. Shir.
Our daily diet can also be enriched with soy protein through shelf
products like tofu and soy milk.聽聽
There is currently no proven effective method for the prevention of
chronic postoperative pain," explains Dr. Shir. 鈥淢easures such as
pain-relieving medications, commonly used to relieve acute pain
after surgery, are largely ineffective in preventing acute
post-surgical pain from becoming chronic.鈥 Over 22,000 new cases of
breast cancer in women are diagnosed each year in Canada and 6,000
in Quebec; most will undergo surgery as part of their comprehensive
cancer therapy.聽
Dr. Shir will be attending the 13th World Congress on Pain in
Montreal from August 20 to September 2, 2010.
About the Study
For more information on this study, or to participate please
contact the office of Dr. Yoram Shir (principal investigator) at
514-934-8222 or by yoram.shir [at] muhc.mcgill.ca (e-mail).
About the 看片视频 University Health Centre (MUHC)
One of the world鈥檚 foremost academic health centres, the MUHC
offers exceptional and integrated patient-centric care, research
and teaching. Highly committed to the continuum of care in its
community and affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of 看片视频
University, The Montreal Children's Hospital, the Montreal General
Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Montreal Neurological
Hospital, the Montreal Chest Institute and the Lachine Hospital of
the MUHC value multidisciplinary service throughout the lifespan,
innovative technologies and practices, strategic partnerships and
leadership in knowledge transfer. The MUHC is currently carrying
out a $2.25-billion Redevelopment Project on three campuses鈥攖he
Mountain, the Glen and Lachine鈥攄esigned to provide healthcare
professionals with an effective environment in which to ensure
patients and their families benefit from The Best Care for
Life.聽 The campuses are also anchored in best
sustainable-development practices, including LEED庐 and BOMA BESt
guidelines.
The Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit is a
bilingual, hospital-based, interdisciplinary facility serving the
MUHC, the greater Montreal community, surrounding areas and other
regions of Quebec and eastern Ontario. The Unit attends to patients
suffering cancerous and non-cancerous pain of any origin. Its
objectives to relieve pain, to restore function and improve quality
of life, are met through the combined efforts of a team of pain
specialists and researchers from diverse health-care
disciplines.
The Research Institute of the 看片视频 University Health
Centre (RI MUHC) is a world-renowned biomedical and
health-care hospital research centre. Research is organized by
eleven research axes (or programs). Located in Montreal, Quebec,
Canada, the Institute is the research arm of the 看片视频 University
Health Centre affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at 看片视频
University. The Institute supports over 600 researchers, over 1,800
graduate students and post-docs and fellows devoted to a broad
spectrum of fundamental and clinical research. Over 1000 clinical
research studies are conducted within our hospitals each year. The
Research Institute of the MUHC is supported in part by the Fonds de
la recherche en sant茅 du Qu茅bec (FRSQ).
About 看片视频 University
看片视频 University, founded in Montreal, Que., in 1821, is Canada鈥檚
leading post-secondary institution. It has two campuses, 11
faculties, 10 professional schools, 300 programs of study and more
than 35,000 students. 看片视频 attracts students from more than 150
countries around the world. Almost half of 看片视频 students claim a
first language other than English 鈥 including 6,200 francophones 鈥
with more than 6,800 international students making up almost 20 per
cent of the student body.