A research was conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Michigan (U-M), where they claimed to found a compound present in broccoli that can help to prevent or treat breast cancer by targeting breast cancer stem cells. Breast cancer stem cells are those cells that stimulate the growth of tumors.

Researchers of U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center and the College of Pharmacy have examined breast cancer stem cells in mice. Scientist found so many cancer stem cells are present in the mice tumors's and decide to inject varying amount of sulforaphane into the mice tumors.

Researchers analyzed that the quantity of cancer stem cells distinctly cut down in the mouse tumor's causing no harm to the normal cells. Moreover, they also found that a cancer cell treated by sulforaphane does not generate more tumors.

Researchers have decided to test the sulforaphane on human breast cancer cells in lab, and found a similar dropping off cancer stem cells.

Max S. Wicha, M. D., Distinguished Professor of Oncology and director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center said that this study reveals an upcoming treatment for breast cancer. When this method will be combined with other compounds to target the breast cancer stem cells then we can develop an effective approach to treat breast cancer.

Even if sulforaphane is obtainable in capsule style as a food supplements or it can be taken by eating broccoli and brocco-sprouts but cannot meet the standards set by the researchers in this study as researchers have used sulforaphane in much higher quantity than can be eaten.

Till date, no clinical studies have been conducted on breast cancer stem cells in women, but U-M team will go on with their research process by developing a sulforaphane extract which will be investigated to prevent and treat breast cancer in human clinical trials.

Researchers notify that taking the sulforaphane supplements cannot benefit much because the concentrations of supplements are unregulated. Although eating broccoli cannot harm.