From the new studies it was seen that a compound found in broccoli could reduce the risk or treat breast cancer by targeting cancer stem cells.

The tumor grows in the body because of the stem cells which are found in small numbers.

The study was conducted by the researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center where they tested a component of broccoli and broccoli sprouts known as sulforaphane on mice and cell cultures.

It was observed by the U-M researchers that the cancer stem cells reduced in the mouse with no affect on the normal cells. It was also seen that cells treated with sulforaphane did not grow new tumors.

It was seen that sulforaphane attacked and killed the cancer stem cells and stopped new tumors from growing.

"Sulforaphane has been studied previously for its effects on cancer, but this study shows that its benefit is in inhibiting the breast cancer stem cells. This new insight suggests the potential of sulforaphane or broccoli extract to prevent or treat cancer by targeting the critical cancer stem cells", said study author Duxin Sun, Ph. D., Associate Professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the U-M College of Pharmacy.

On May 1 issue of Clinical Cancer Research the Results would be shown.