Jan 20 U.S. researchers said on Thursday tests on rats had shown that soy protein can help prevent breast cancer. Scientists at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center said they had found evidence that a diet containing whey and soy protein can reduce levels of the female hormone estrogen, which is linked to breast cancer -- the second leading cancer killer in women. The research, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, found that about 50 percent fewer rats in a test sample had mammary tumors when fed a soy protein diet as compared to a standard diet. Soy is rich in isoflavones which sometimes act to stimulate estrogen and sometimes interfere with its effects, which is how the popular breast cancer drug tamoxifen works. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen's bad effects on the breast, while stimulating its good side-effects such as protecting bone density. ``This significant new research, although preliminary, suggests that adding whey or soy protein to the diet may help protect women and children from developing breast cancer,'' said Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman. ``These findings underscore the importance of research as the critical link between nutrition and health.'' A number of independent studies on small groups of women have shown that women who drank soy milk had lower levels of estrogen in their blood. Ann's NOTE: Remember to use organic soy products whenever possible as up to 60% of soybeans grown in the United States have been genetically modified. Too bad the upcoming STAR trial does not include an arm for these substances. Tamoxifen versus Raloxifene trial for healthy women at "high" risk of breast cancer. Recently published studies,2000 Study in Clinical Cancer Research December 2000 Phase I with astoundingly good results Framingham Study, 2001 Phytoestrogen Intake in US Women Urinary Excretion-Phytoestrogens & Risk of Bca (China) J Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2001 Carcinogenesis, 10/01 Br J Cancer, 8/01 J Cancer Res Clin Oncol, 8/01 Intl J Cancer, 1/04 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.