Is it true that women with breast cancer issues should not eat soy products?
Question by Psych Lapse: Is it true that women with breast cancer issues should not eat soy products?
I was told this by someone with cancer, but I’m not sure its true
Best answer:
Answer by lo_mcg
There is no actual scientific evidence that soya causes, prevents, contributes to or affects the progress of any cancer, including oestrogen positive breast cancer (this is in fact true of any food)
Soya proteins contain isoflavones that can mimic a weak oestrogen effect. It’s not the same as the oestrogen your own body makes though – it is 1,000 times weaker than your own body’s oestrogen, but it’s this that has led to concerns (and rumour) about oestrogen dependent cancer.
There are those in the field who argue that isoflavones may be of help in preventing breast cancer or be beneficial to women who have had breast cancer.
There is current research into whether increasing phyto oestrogens in the diet helps to prevent breast or prostate cancer, and a study in 2002 found that women with the highest levels of soya products in their diets had the lowest breast density – higher breast density being associated with higher breast cancer risk.
Certainly I was never told by any doctor to avoid soya products, and nor were any of the many women I’ve met through breast cancer support networks
Oh, and women with the highest levels of isoflavones in their diet are reported to have significant risk reductions for uterine cancer.
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Edit: Interestingly, breastcancer.org is the source of most of my information on soya and breast cancer, too:
http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/nutrition/ask_expert/2000_07/question_06.jsp
http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/everyone/question/soy.jsp
http://www.breastcancer.org/news_research/ask_expert/2005_06/question_17.jsp
Add your own answer in the comments!
January 27th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
I agree that the research is inconclusive but I avoid any types of estrogen, plant or animal!
January 27th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Having had breast cancer that was reactive to estrogen, and being placed on drugs to combat this I asked my oncologist this question, particularly as many friends were recommending soy products to combat the menopausal effects i was going through.
I was told by my oncologist that research into this was still inconclusive and while small quantities of soy were not likely to be problematic, she would not recommend I kept my soy intake at the low levels I was consuming at that time. (Personally I prefer dairy and have never been a big soy consumer)
January 27th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
I would avoid soy supplements and also I was told to avoid Evening Primrose Oil – breast cancer tumours can often be hormone receptive and soy can affect the hormones. But the jury is still out. Basically if you don’t need soy don’t take it! A good, balanced diet will be fine. And keep alcohol intake down.