Soy and cancer

​Soy and cancer    Soy products, best is tofu, tempeh, then soy milk, is ONLY to be used if ORGANIC.  Ask in restaurants to be sure (also this alerts them that organic is a need).

Soya food intake and risk of endometrial cancer among Chinese women in Shanghai: population based case-control study

Main outcome measures Odds ratios for risk of endometrial cancer in women with different intakes of soya foods.

Results Regular consumption of soya foods, measured as amount of either soya protein or soya isoflavones, was inversely associated with the risk of endometrial cancer.   BMJ. 2004 May 29; 328(7451): 1285.

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

Association between Soy Isoflavone Intake and Breast Cancer Risk for Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women: A Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Studies   PLoS One. 2014; 9(2): e89288.

Conclusions

We meta-analyzed more and newer research results, and separated women according to menopausal status to explore soy isoflavone-breast cancer association. We founded that soy isoflavone intake could lower the risk of breast cancer for both pre- and post-menopausal women in Asian countries. However, for women in Western countries, pre- or post-menopausal, there is no evidence to suggest an association between intake of soy isoflavone and breast cancer.

The association of soy food consumption with the risk of subtype of breast cancers defined by hormone receptor and HER2 status Volume139, Issue 4 15 August 2016 Pages 742-748

Furthermore, we found that high soy intake during adulthood and adolescence was associated with reduced premenopausal breast cancer risk (HR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.32–0.88; comparing third vs. first tertile) while high adulthood soy intake was associated with postmenopausal breast cancer only when adolescent intake was low (HR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.43–0.91). Our study suggests that hormonal status, menopausal status and time window of exposure are important factors influencing the soy‐breast cancer association.

Excerpts from MD Anderson article https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/soy-cancer.h18-1589046.html  sept 2014

Do Soy Foods increase breast cancer

Soy and breast cancer

Because natural soy foods contain isoflavones, similar to estrogen, some people fear that soy may raise their risk for certain cancers. This is because estrogen is linked to hormonally-sensitive cancers like breast cancer.

But according to the American Cancer Society, when it comes to soy, isoflavones may act like estrogen, but they have anti-estrogen properties as well. Some studies even show that a diet high in soy didn’t increase the chances of developing breast cancer and may even reduce that risk.

“The current research does not support avoiding whole soy foods, even for cancer patients or survivors,” Levy says.

Soy might lower the risk of other cancers

Soybeans, soy nuts and edamame all contain fiber. And a diet high in fiber may lower your risks for several cancers, including colorectal cancer.

Studies among prostate cancer survivors indicate that eating soy foods may lower PSA levels. Among men in various stages of prostate cancer, those who consumed soy milk or isolated soy isoflavones saw their PSA levels rise at a slower rate. The effect was stronger in some men than others, making it unclear whether genetics or metabolism made a difference in lowering PSA levels.

A healthy balanced diet can include soy

It’s important to have a variety of foods in your diet, including soy.

“If you’re still uncomfortable adding whole soy foods to your diet, yet want to reduce how much animal protein you eat, try these common alternatives: beans, lentils, nuts and seeds,” Levy says. “The protein (and amino acid) content will vary for each.”

If you want to add soy to your diet, eat fewer processed soy foods, and choose more whole foods like edamame, tofu and soy nuts. Does that mean you should skip the soy nuggets? Not necessarily. That’s a personal choice. But, remember that a processed soy nugget is just that—processed food. And avoiding processed foods is another way to lower your cancer risk.

If eating certain foods, like soy, gives you anxiety, skip them.

“Consider talking with a dietitian if you have questions about going meatless,” Levy says. “It’s important to make sure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs. Talking with an expert will help you go in the right direction.”

Conclusions

We meta-analyzed more and newer research results, and separated women according to menopausal status to explore soy isoflavone-breast cancer association. We founded that soy isoflavone intake could lower the risk of breast cancer for both pre- and post-menopausal women in Asian countries. However, for women in Western countries, pre- or post-menopausal, there is no evidence to suggest an association between intake of soy isoflavone and breast cancer.