Are soy products bad for breast cancer?

Hi,

Guess the jury is still out on soy and breast cancer (at least for estrogen-positive BC). But here's the latest ...

Info on soy and breast cancer ...

The soy and breast cancer debate If you've had breast cancer, you may have heard two entirely different debates on whether soy is good for you. Soy products like tofu and soy milk are rich in chemicals called phytoestrogens, which can function like estrogen and increase growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. Or so we have heard.But in Asia, where diets are highly concentrated in soy, breast cancer rates are dramatically lower than in much of the world. In fact the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study found that of 5,042 Asian women diagnosed with breast cancer, those whose diets were highest in soy had the lowest relapse rate - a  23% to 32% lower risk of recurrence compared to women who ate the least soyBenefits of soy appeared to increase with intake up to 11 g of soy protein or 40 mg of soy isoflavone per day, but the benefits stopped after that level.This has some researchers looking closer - does soy increase - or might it actually lower risk for breast cancer or recurrence?What we do know, is Asians typically eat much higher concentrations of soy and from minimally processed whole foods.  While the Shanghai study indicates that eating natural soy is probably healthy, the American Institute for Cancer Research stresses that data on soy and breast cancer are not conclusive.What we know at this point is the phytoestrogens in this food source are "anti-estrogens". In other words, they may block estrogen from the receptors - and possibly protect women from breast cancer. Studies found that pre-menopausal women may benefit most as their natural estrogen levels are high. But, studies found high levels of soy in menopausal women may add estrogen to the body and actually  increase their risk for breast cancer.Bottom line:Have a diet that includes soy, plenty of  whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Post menopausal women should stay away from isolated isoflavone supplements in pills or powder and it is actually questionable whether anyone should use them.Look for your soy from natural, non-genetically modified sources. You can find these products  most often in organic and natural food stores.  Or check with your local health/food inspection agencies.More information:http://ww5.komen.org/ContentSimpleLeft.aspx?id=6442451776http://www.healthcastle.com/soy-breastcancer.shtmlPlease check out my site for more stories and resources for us c warriors!Best, Rachelwww.1UpOnCancer.com

I emailed my onc yesterday about this to see if his thinking has changed and it hasn't.  He said there has been lots of talk about soy, for years, but that nothing has really materialized to indicate that it is dangerous, so I should feel free to eat it (in moderation).

Beesie,

To be honest I interpreted Rachel's post as a promotional one and didn't really take in the info.  But, I would be interested to hear what you research has told you about the omega 6 in soy.  I have stayed away from it because of the question surrounding phytoestrogens but the omega thing is new for me.  And why is tofu okay?  (according to Dr Servan-Schreiber.  

Perhaps I will start a new thread about his studies.  I do so with great hesitation though.  I do not want to start another battle!  I just want info. 

OK well lets just agree that eating soy during months with the letter "r" in it is ok but not OK in months without the letter "r".

It would be nice if there was a clear cut answer. I have read quite a bit on the subject… still not coming up with any definitive answer. Sometimes there isn't one. It could be as strange as soy is beneficial only in women with low fat diets. Who knows? There are so many things that can factor into this.

For now as an ER+ I'm not going to add any extra soy but not go nuts avoiding it… and I will not give up my occasional hot & sour soup at Sun Wah or sushi

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edited to add the word "not"

membe_of_the_club, I so agree I try to avoid extra soy, it's in way too many products as it is.

"Jane Plant is a five-time survivor of bc"

She also cut out fats/dairy and started eating more fruits and vegetables. This might be the reason she and all those Japanese and Chinese women have less incidence of BC. It might not be the soy.

I don't know the answer but there is more than one way to look at things.

Barb that was my reaction too but I ready she didn't do anything about her diet till #5

The Atkins guy fell and hit his skull, I am pretty sure that is how he died.

I had a girlfriend that was 400-500 pounds and her biggest fear was falling because she couldn't get up! Just before she died at 42, she did fall at home and they had to call the fire department to get her up. So sad....

The Atkins guy died from a fall on the ice and a traumatic head injury.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/doctor/atkins.asp

Finally had to Google. This is what I saw:

Founder of Atkins diet 'was obese when he died'

BY AGENCIES Dr Robert Atkins, creator of the famous low-carbohydrate diet, was clinically obese at the time of his death, according to medical reports made public today.

At 258 pounds, the 6-foot-tall Atkins would have qualified as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's body-mass index calculator."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/26/health/main595707.shtml 

Yes he was a big guy but I don't think big enough to qualify for "biggest loser"

Edit: Darlene just saw your post. Still not sure about the heart issues but the weight issue is true.

What I remember reading at the time was that he had fluid buildup as well, that he was not obese.  This is very common in such situations.

What's with all the snarky comments?  People who succeed with alternative therapies typically are people who focus on the upside, the positive, those who seek the silver lining in a black cloud.  Why focus on 5-time instead of SURVIVOR?  As I stated before, I haven't yet read Jane Plant's book, so I don't know when the change in lifestyle entered the picture.  I simply mentioned her name as a possible author of interest. 

As for taking relationship advice from someone who's been divorced five times, well, I think again that is focusing on a negative.  I would want advice based on where a person is at this time.  From what I understand, this is the model used by Alcoholics Anonymous.  It's my understanding that EVERYONE in that group is an alcoholic and that their program is very successful in helping people.  

I don't think any of the comments were snarky......why read more into them than they deserve?