Sunday, October 19, 2008

More On Breast Cancer

I have heard that soy products actually increase one's risk of breast cancer. The isoflavones in soy, which normally are very beneficial, are phytoestrogens. The rationale is that if these estrogen-like plant substances made the estrogen-sensitive tumors think it was true estrogen, it could stimulate tumor growth.

Well I'm happy to say those worries are unfounded. Evidence indicates that soy products are safe for breast cancer patients at the level of 25 to 50 mg of isoflavones per day, about one to two servings daily. If I extrapolate that risk to the average person (one without estrogen-receptor sensitive breast cancer) I guess they could safely eat at least that much.
Pass the soymilk!

Messina MJ, Wood CE. Soy isoflavones, estogen therapy, and breast cancer risk: analysis and commentary. Nutr J. June 3, 2008;7:17.

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