Does Soy Help Prevent Breast Cancer?
Research on soy is relatively new. Currently, researchers are unsure of the exact effect of soy on breast cancer. Several animal studies and small human clinical trials have shown that soy foods that contain phytoestrogens (more specifically, isoflavones) may offer some protection against breast cancer. Researchers believe phytoestrogens found in soy may help protect against breast cancer because phytoestrogens compete with estrogen in the body to bind to estrogen receptors on cells. Since estrogen triggers breast cell reproduction, some researchers believe that a higher amount of estrogen in the body may increase a woman s risk for breast cancer. Because phytoestrogens found in soy foods may block estrogen from reaching estrogen receptors, pre-menopausal women who include soy in their diet may decrease their risk of breast cancer. Though research on the effects of soy in pre-menopausal women shows some promise, it is preliminary and needs to be confirmed in large clinical trials. Rese
