Washington, March 17 : Scientists in America have identified the triggering mechanism by which breast and prostate cancer cells begin.

Dr. Ercole Cavalieri and Dr. Eleanor Rogen made this achievement with their colleagues at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer in Omaha, Nebraska.

"We have found the first step that starts a cell down the road to becoming a cancer cell. By blocking this first step from happening, we feel we can stop the development of breast and prostate cancer," say the researchers.

The research team have found that certain oestrogen derivates (metabolites) can react with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to cause such damage as may initiate the start of breast and prostate cancer.

Oestrogen can initiate cancer when natural protective mechanisms do not function properly in the body, which then allows oestrogen metabolites to react with DNA.

Given that both men and women have naturally occurring oestrogen, the researchers point out that the triggering mechanism for breast and prostate cancer is identical.

Drs. Cavalieri and Rogan claim that theirs is the first research to study the effects of Resveratrol on this process.

They say that their study suggests that in order to be effective, additional compounds must be added for optimal effect.

The combination of naturally occurring preventative agents Resveratrol, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), Lipoic Acid and Melatonin greatly enhances the body''s natural protection mechanisms, which, in turn, decrease the triggering mechanism involved in the formation of breast and prostate cancer cells.

These compounds are available in a recently developed dietary supplement called Preventium, according to a research article on this study. (ANI)