Soy and Cancer

Historical believes

Because Soy (in any form soybeans/milk/powder/extract etc.) has pro-estrogenic properties i.e. can stimulate Estrogen receptors, it was considered for many years as a food/supplement that should be avoided in cancer patients especially hormone responsive cancers such as breast cancer especially if it is hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.  So, it was and still an inherited tendency to avoid any soy products not only in breast cancer but in any type of cancer.

What do research and science say?

Completely different findings were discovered with regards the relationship between soy intake and the breast cancer risk.  A POSITIVE correlation exists between SOY intake and BREAST CANCER prevention or controlling breast cancer or IMPROVING THE SURVIVAL of breast cancer patients.

Research Evidence

A plethora of current research that supports SOY intake and breast cancer prevention/ treatment are there and these are examples of research findings:

·         Larissa et al (2009) in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention Journal found that: SOY intake during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood are associated with a significant reduction in the breast cancer risk especially if taken during the childhood period. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(4):1050–9)   http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/18/4/1050.short 

·         Shu et al (2009) : Studied the effects of SOY food consumption among 5042 female patients with different stages of breast cancer and after a follow up period of 3.9 years found that: women with breast cancer who consumed soy foods had a significant reduction of risk of dying from breast cancer and also much lower recurrence rates. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/185034 

Conclusion

Scientific research proved that SOY consumption can be a very useful way to reduce the incidence of breast cancer among women and also reducing the chances of recurrence or death from breast cancer for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Have questions? need help?

Don’t hesitate to contact the clinic at

https://www.ontarionaturopathicclinic.ca/site/contact-naturpathic-dr-grimsby-niagara