Soy Products

Hi Amy,

I was curious so I did a search, here is what I found :
National Cancer Institute Press Conference, April 6, 1998.
"Soy may enhance cancer-fighting effects of tamoxifen

A diet of soy may enhance the effects of tamoxifen, which is used to prevent breast cancer in high-risk women.

In a study conducted in rats, researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that tamoxifen alone reduced the number of carcinogen-induced tumors by 29 percent, from an average of 7.9 per rat to 5.6. Similarly, soy alone reduced the number of tumors by 37 percent. But when the two were combined, the overall reduction in number of tumors was 62 percent.

"While we do not know whether these results apply to women who, because of environmental factors or genetic predisposition, are at high risk for developing breast cancer, our study would suggest that a human trial is warranted," said Andreas Constantinou, associate professor of surgical oncology at UIC and associate director of research in the Functional Foods for Health Program, a joint project of UIC and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The results of the study were reported at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in New Orleans on March 28.

Constantinou and colleagues are now studying whether the additive effects of soy seen in this animal study are due to compounds known as phytoestrogens or to other components of soy.

Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer in women. It is estimated that over 800,000 cases and 400,000 deaths occur each year worldwide. The disease has a clear genetic component, such as mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. But on a population basis, the major risks are due to lifestyle and environmental factors, such as poor dietary habits and exposure to carcinogens. Diet is estimated to contribute to up to 50 percent of all newly diagnosed breast cancer cases. "

I hope this helps.
I am on tamoxifen, and I eat at least two soy yogurts a day. They are flavored "apricot-goyave", taste delicious and I feel good !

Have a great day,
Cathy

cruf said:

Hi! Some soy products containhigh levels of isoflavins which are weak estrogen like substances from plants.Cancer cells eat off estrogen. people who are taking Tamoxifin are blocking the estrogen production to prevent development of more cancer cells, so if you eat soy you produce more estrogen so the Tamoxifin isn't functioning the way it should.

My doctor recommended that I stay away from the Soy Products. My tumor was estrogen positive and I am on tomoxifen for 5 years. He said that the soy would actually feed the cancer, therefore, I have decided to heed his advice and not do the soy thing. I must say it is very confusing to me though when I read about it, but figure he knows best.