Including probiotic-rich dairy products, like milk, yogurt and Curd in your daily diet may prevent the risk of breast cancer, a study claimed.

The study suggests that, Lactobacillus and Streptococcus, considered to be health-promoting bacteria, were potential to abet breast cancer in healthy breasts than in cancerous ones. Both groups have anticarcinogenic properties, researchers said.

Gregor Reid, Professor at Western University in Canada, said that, "our work raises the question that should women, especially those at risk for breast cancer, take probiotic lactobacilli to increase the proportion of beneficial bacteria in the breast?."

Women with breast cancer also showed increased level of harmful bacterias like Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis known to induce double-stranded breaks in DNA in HeLa cells (cultured human cells).

The researchers said that, "Double-strand breaks are the most detrimental type of DNA damage and are caused by genotoxins, reactive oxygen species and ionising radiation."

The study includes breast tissues obtained from 58 women who were undergoing lumpectomies or mastectomies for either benign (13 women) or cancerous (45 women) tumours, as well as from 23 healthy women who had undergone breast reductions or enhancements.  

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Nandini