cold exposure & breast cancer
A recent flare up of fibrocystic breast symptoms had me wondering if use of cold packs has any effect on breast cancer (BC) risk. Cold packs are often recommended for mastalgia (breast pain) from fibrocystic breast disease, mastitis, engorgement due to breast feeding cessation, and post breast cancer surgery. Whole body cold exposure has been found to increase tumor growth and metastasis in mice: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269266 T-cell function is diminished at colder temperature leading to reduced anti-tumor immune responses. The article notes implications for standard research practice of housing mice at relatively colder temperatures - another thing to add to the list of problems in current practices. (Could cold acclimation be used to promote tolerance in autoimmunity and atopy? Another topic for another day.) The mice were subjected to whole body cold exposure - not spot treatment. It is conceivable that reducing acute inflammation through localized cold exposure