Dietary Soy Intake Lowers Breast Cancer Risk

Highlights:

Soy consumption has previously been linked to cancer. But a new study has shown that soy could lower risk for breast cancer
The fiber rich food contains isoflavones which lower mortality rate
High consumption of soy was found to reduce the risk of breast cancer by 21%

The link between consuming soy products and the risk of breast cancer has been laid to rest after a study published in the Journal Cancer which has shown that dietary soy products are beneficial and safe for women suffering from breast cancer. These foods that are considered to be one of the healthiest foods, were believed to increase the risk of breast cancer due to their estrogen-like properties. The greatest risk is associated with hormone receptor positive cancer, which is thought to thrive in the presence of elevated estrogen levels.

Soy and Breast Cancer

Dr. Fang Fang Zhang from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University said that the isoflavones which are the components of soy with estrogen-like properties are associated with a reduction in the rate of growth of breast cancer cells under laboratory conditions. Dr. Zhang further stated that an epidemiological analysis of East Asian women with breast cancer showed that elevated intake of isoflavones was associated with reduced mortality. The major limitation is that the isoflavanols with the estrogen-like effects lowered the efficiency of the hormone therapy for breast cancer. This has led to the confusion about whether the intake of soy should be recommended or whether it should be restricted.

Soy or Soya - A Holy Food
Soy or Soya is a crop which has been cultivated from thousands of years. It belongs to the family of legumes.

‘Regular inclusion of soy in the diet is necessary to lower risk for breast cancer and to prevent recurrence.’

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Dietary Intake of Isoflavones

The association between intake of dietary soy and death that occurs due to any cause was studied by Dr. Zhang and her colleagues. The study was conducted on 6235 Canadian and American women who were diagnosed with breast cancer, for a period of nine years. The findings of the study showed that

There was a 21% lower risk of death among women with breast cancer with high intake of isoflavones when compared with women who consumed low amounts.
The reduction in risk was found to be mostly associated with women who had hormone receptor-negative tumors and who were not on tamoxifen therapy.
There was no increase in mortality when there was an increased intake of isoflavones among women who received hormone therapy, which is contrary to earlier studies.
High soy intake was found to have a protective effect among women with hormone receptor-negative breast cancer.

Dr. Zhang said that the studies showed that there was no detrimental effect that was identified among women with breast cancer who consumed a large amount of soy food.

The survival rate among women with hormone receptor-negative breast cancer was more than 20%, as it is a more aggressive form of cancer. Dr. Esther John from the Cancer Prevention Institute of California said that the results of the study showed that increased intake of isoflavones improved survival rates. The study involved the intake of dietary soy from foods and not from supplements.

The exact mechanism of action of these isoflavones and their interaction with breast cancer cells is not well understood but previous studies indicate the following properties of the soy foods

Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Anti-angiogenic

Effect of Soy on Women’s Health

Earlier studies have shown that soy foods are important for women’s health.

It is a primary source of isoflavones and is found to protect against multiple myeloma ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
Intake of soy foods by women with breast cancer have reduced cancer recurrence
38% reduction in mortality among women who drink at least one cup of soy.
Soy has a protective effect against endometrial cancer.
30% lowered endometrial cancer risk among women who consumed soy.
Ovarian cancer risk reduced by half among women who consumed soy.
Soy intake is found to reduce hot flashes, lower delay in the onset of premature menarche and puberty.
Intake of soy is associated with lowered osteoarthritis symptoms with significant boost in bone mineral density. It could also prevent bone loss and improve new bone formation.

Soy milk is found to contain the same amount of calcium but twice the antioxidant content found in cow’s milk. Good sources of soy are tofu, edamame, soymilk and tempeh.

The Best Foods to Eat When You Have Breast Cancer
Breast cancer diet covers whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fish. The dietary advice for breast cancer is to avoid raw, processed, and refined foods.

Soy Intake and Risk of Breast Cancer in Asian Americans

Dr. Anna M. Whu and colleagues from the Department of Preventive Medicine studied the risk of soy intake among adolescents and adults in Asian Americans. The scientists carried out a case control study to identify the role of traditional whole soy food of Asians on breast cancer risk.

The results of this study showed that there was a significant reduction in the risk for breast cancer among adolescents and adults who consumed whole soy food.

Soy Consumption Linked to Breast Cancer Treatment
Regular consumption of soy can prevent the recurrence of breast cancer. However, introduction of soy after breast cancer diagnosis can increase its risk.

The study showed that:

The effect of soy intake on breast cancer risk was more pronounced among adolescents than among adults.
The scientists found a lasting protection when adolescents consumed soy
Participants who consumed low amounts of soy in their diet during adulthood, but who were high consumers of soy during adolescence showed a 21% reduction in risk for breast cancer
Studies conducted on a small sample size showed that low consumption during adolescence and high consumption during adulthood did not have a significant association with breast cancer risk. Though further studies are required to support this finding, if found to be true, it could lead better dietary inclusion of soy during adolescence.

Dietary Requirements for Soy

Soy is a plant protein which is rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium and other vitamins. Dr. Clare McKindley who is a clinical dietitian working with MD Anderson’s Cancer Prevention Center says that soy contains all the essential amino acids which are necessary to support the body’s vital functions. People on a vegan or vegetarian diet, especially people with food allergies can include soy in their diet to get the optimum level of amino acids. A moderate amount of soy in the diet is 3 daily servings, one serving could be

1 cup of soy milk
1/3 cup of tofu
1/2 cup of edamame
1/2 cup cooked soybeans

The inclusion of soy in the diet is a healthy way to gain the required amino acids as well as to lower the risk for breast cancer. The current study aided in understanding the reduction in risk for breast cancer on the inclusion of soy in the diet and the effect on mortality rates. This information could be used to increase awareness about the benefits of consumption of whole soy.

References:

Soy and Breast Cancer - (https://www.oncologynutrition.org/erfc/hot-topics/soy-and-breast-cancer/)
Do soy foods increase cancer risk? - (https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/september-2014/soy-cancer.html)
Soy - (http://nutritionfacts.org/topics/soy/)
Anna.H.Wu, Peggy Wan, Jean Hankin, Chieu, Chen Tseng, Mimi, C. Yu and Malcolm C. Pike “Adolescent and Adult Soy Intake and Risk of Breast Cancer in Asian Americans”; Carcinogenesis, 2002

Source-Medindia