Soy, a dietary staple, comes from a leguminous plant. It is mainly grown for its nutritious seeds and edible oil, soybean oil. Soy can add more protein and calories in your diet than any other cereal. In recent times, researchers have been looking to soy as a possible alternative breast cancer treatment, although there have been persistent concerns about soy's role in breast cancer. Ask your doctor before taking soy for a breast cancer problem.
Soy Composition
Soy is a significant source of isoflavones, a major group of phytoestrogens thought to link to increased rates of breast cancer. This claim stems from the fact that soy isoflavones are similar to human estrogen in structure and act like estrogens, stimulating breast tissue growth and thus activating breast tumors. There is concern that soy-based phytoestrogens could promote breast cancer in those who are at high risk. Soy also contains fiber, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals, folic acid and two polyunsaturated acids, linoleic and linolenic acids.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor in or near the breast. It is more common in women than men. Virtually every woman is at risk of breast cancer. In the United States, breast cancer affects about 180,000 women per year, making this disease the second most common malignancy after lung cancer, according to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The encouraging news is that breast cancer is curable if diagnosed early and treated promptly.
Negative Effects of Soy on Breast Cancer
The effects of soy isoflavones are much similar to human estrogen; thus, they may possess estrogenic activity. It is generally agreed upon that body's natural estrogen hormone causes a proliferation in breast tissue and therefore stimulates the growth of estrogen-responsive breast tumors. Since isoflavones exhibit estrogen-like activity, it is likely they could strengthen the effects of estrogen in the body, promoting the development of breast cancer, the Sprecher Institute at Cornell University notes.
Positive Effects of Soy on Breast Cancer
Proponents of soy argue that soy isoflavones are weak forms of estrogen and therefore act as antagonists at the estrogen receptor site. For this reason, soy has been hypothesized to inhibit estrogen receptor positive forms of breast cancer. This evidence isn't conclusive and more research is needed on this. So it is a good idea to consult with a physician to know whether soy is safe and effective in the treatment of breast cancer.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Soy
- Cornell University: Sprecher Institute: Phytoestrogens and Breast Cancer
- University at Buffalo: Soy Isoflavones Decrease Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer, Large Breast Tumors, Study Shows; Anne Weaver; 2010
- Columbia University Health Sciences: Estrogen's Role in Cancer; Susan Conova; 2010
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: Breast Cancer
