What is the Effect of Soy on Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors?
At this time, researchers are not certain what effect soy may have on breast cancer patients or survivors. However, some researchers believe that phytoestrogens found in many soy foods may stimulate cell growth and could actually lead to a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence. Some physicians feel that women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers or those who are taking the drug tamoxifen for breast cancer should limit their intake of soy products containing phytoestrogens until researchers are able to better understand the effects of soy on breast tumors. In fact, many physicians advise women with a strong personal or family history of breast cancer not to consume phytoestrogens. What are Some Other Benefits of Soy? Researchers have also been exploring other possible benefits of soy. Again, the research on soy is relatively new and the effects have not been confirmed in large human clinical trials. A few recent studies have shown that soy foods containing phytoestrogens may
