Tamoxifen Plus Soy Prevents Breast Cancer in Rats Soy may boost the effects of the anti-breast cancer drug tamoxifen, Illinois researchers report. In a study of female rats that were exposed to a breast cancer-causing chemical, animals taking a combination of tamoxifen and soy developed fewer breast tumors than rodents taking soy or tamoxifen alone. Compared to rats that did not receive any sort of treatment, those given tamoxifen had 29% fewer breast tumors, while soy alone reduced tumors by 37%. But a combination of soy and tamoxifen led to a 62% reduction in the number of tumors, researchers reported last month at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in New Orleans, Louisiana. ``While we do not know whether these results apply to women who, because of environmental factors or genetic predisposition, are at high risk for developing breast cancer, our study would suggest that a human trial is warranted,'' the study's lead author, Dr. Andreas Constantinou, of the University of Illinois at Chicago, said in a university press release. Constantinou's team is now trying to figure out how soy enhances tamoxifen's effects--either through phytoestrogens or other substances in soy. Large quantities of phytoestrogens, or naturally-occurring estrogens, are found not only in soybeans, but also in cereals, alfalfa sprouts and other plants. Some research suggests that phytoestrogens may have health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, but the evidence is not conclusive. Tamoxifen was first used to treat breast cancer, but the drug is now approved for the prevention of breast cancer in some high-risk women. Drug maker AstraZeneca markets the drug as Nolvadex. The United Soybean Board provided funding for the study. Thanks to Reuters Health J Cancer Research 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.