Mammographic breast density as a biomarker of effects of isoflavones on the female breast Charlotte Atkinson1, Sheila A Bingham2 1Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. 2MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge, UK. © 2002 BioMed Central Ltd (Print ISSN 1465-5411 | Online ISSN 1465-542X) Abstract Isoflavones possess both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic actions, and are hypothesized to protect against breast cancer. However, two intervention studies of markers of proliferation on breast tissue have raised concerns that soy isoflavones may have an estrogenic effect on breast tissue. Increased mammographic breast density is associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer, although the mechanism underlying this relationship has not been explained. Estrogens increase and anti-estrogens decrease breast density. Breast density may therefore serve as a biomarker of estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects of a treatment on breast tissue. The effect of isoflavones on breast density is under investigation. Breast Cancer Res 2002, 4: 1-4 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.