Does consuming too many soy products for women lead to a higher risk in breast

cancer?
Christene Guirgess
December 2, 2013
N00892865

Importance:
There have been news stories that came out saying that eating tofu, soy
products leads to women having a higher risk of breast cancer. Then there are
other news stories that come out saying that eating soy is actually beneficial for a
woman. Studies in Asian women have found a lower risk of breast cancer with
eating more soy, whereas studies in the U.S. have tended to not find any
association between how much soy a woman consumes and her risk of breast
cancer. With October being breast-cancer awareness month, there are more new
studies that are coming out trying to inform women on what they should do to
help their chances of survival or prevention. It is significant since it deals and
talks about breast cancer. Breast cancer is a leading killer amongst women. It is
so significant that they have dedicated one month a year (October) to talk about
breast cancer and bring awareness to this disease. 1 in 8 women are diagnosed
with breast cancer in the United States. Cancer is the second leading cause of
death amongst women.
This topic is very important for me since I am a vegetarian and my main
source of protein comes from soy products. I was visiting my cousins in Canada
and we were discussing how I am now a vegetarian and what types of food I am
eating. Once they found out that I consume tofu and soy proteins in almost all my
meals every single one of my family members told me to stop eating soy since
they read that it leads to breast cancer and it prevents women from having
babies. I was shocked and taken aback when I heard what they said. Being a
biologist I have learned never take what people say as fact and decided to do the

research myself. I really wanted to know if it was true that soy proteins really do
cause breast cancer in women. I had heard that soy does act like estrogen and
that it may cause cancer, so maybe what they were saying had merit. After
searching through articles this is what I found.
Introduction:
Soy proteins contain isoflavones, which are organic compounds that occur
naturally. Genistein and Diadzein are the two major isoflavones that are found in
soy proteins. Genistein has shown that it increases cell proliferation in breast
cancer cell MCF-7.1 The dosage amount of Genistein has a direct effect on the
breast cancer in studies. If a low concentration were administered tests show that
there was an increase in cell proliferation. 1 If there was a high concentration
administered it showed that there was inhibition. 1 Through studies soy
isoflavones have shown to act like estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors
found in the breast and increase cell growth. Isoflavones have also been shown
to lead to many hormone dependent diseases in the west. Studies have shown
that there are nonhormonal side effects from isoflavones that may contribute to
disease. In contrast soy isoflavones have also been shown to contribute to
reducing the side effects of menopause, lowering cholesterol and high blood
pressure. While isoflavones may act like estrogen they stop the formation of
estrogens in fat tissue and stimulate production of a protein that binds estrogen
in the blood.
Genistein (an isoflavone phytonutrient in soy) is often a key focus in these
cancer-prevention studies.2 This soy isoflavone can increase activity of a tumor

suppressor protein called p53. When p53 becomes more active, it can help
trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells, and it also helps stop
ongoing cancer cell activity.3 Tumor formation activity is decreased and blocks
the activity with Genistein. When soy products are fermented there is a greater
concentration of genistein.3
Body:
A lot of research has gone into seeing whether soy isoflavones truly help women
with breast cancer or actually cause breast cancer. One major study is the
Shanghai womens study that included 73,223 Chinese women of varying
ages.4The researchers followed these women for 7.4 years and tracked their soy
protein intake or isoflavones.4 This study looked at the results from both
premenopausal women and postmenopausal women. The study found that soy
intake was more beneficial for premenopausal women that consumed the
majority of soy protein during adolescents.4 The study didnt show that there was
any benefit for women that are postmenopausal in regards to breast cancer
consuming soy protein. This study shows that high consumption of soy proteins
is actually a preventative in regards to breast cancer. It is important to
understand that the consumption of soy proteins between east and west. The
consumption of soy proteins in the United States is 1/10 of the amount consumed
in the east.5 A take a way from the study, women should increase the intake of
soy proteins during their adolescents and consume the most during that period.
Women should also continue to consume through adulthood, even when women
have had breast cancer the likelihood of reoccurrence is lessened.

Some studies show that soy products are actually beneficial in preventing
breast-cancer, while other studies show that there is a direct correlation between
soy products and breast-cancer for women. There is no cure for breast cancer. It
is one of the biggest diseases that affect women. There is constant research on
going in hopes of finding a cure for breast cancer. There has been success with
radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. So far they have not linked one specific
item that relates to a higher increase of breast cancer from one woman to the
next. Researchers have found the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation, which shows
women that have this specific mutation have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Women are not considered cancer free until they have been in remission for five
years. Soy has isoflavones, which is chemically similar to estrogen. It is well
established that estrogen is linked to hormonally sensitive cancers in women.
All of the above cancer-preventing possibilities of genistein and soy are
complicated by other real-life factors, however. In some studies, the amount of
genistein required to trigger cancer-preventive effects has been relatively high,
and far higher than the amount provided by average intake among U.S. adults.
The lifecycle and metabolic status of individuals also seems to make a potentially
important difference in the anticancer benefits of soy.

Application to Dietetics:
This topic directly relates to the dietetics study in that there is a direct
correlation between eating soy proteins or isoflavones and the reduction in
cancer cell proliferation. By looking at the relationship of genistein and the
anticancerous properties will help dieticians in recommending soy proteins as an
addition to patients meals.
Reduction in cancer growth has been shown as a result from soy proteins
due to their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown
there is an increase in folate, Vitamin K, greater amount in Calcium, magnesium,
and 4 grams of extra fiber per day are the benefits of Americans replacing soy
proteins for meat and dairy in their diets.6 If Americans removed meat and dairy
from their diet there would be a decrease in cholesterol consumption by 123
milligrams per day. By eliminating animal protein there is less consumption of
saturated fat by 2.4 grams per day.6
Soybeans have always been recognized as a plant food that is high in complete
protein. This is the only plant protein that contains all the necessary amino acids
needed in the diet.7 Many plant proteins contain amino acids, yet only soy
proteins are complete and considered a healthy equivalent to animal protein such
as mead and cows milk.7 There are rating for protein quality and soybeans
received a protein quality rating that is equivalent to the ratings for meat or cow's
milk.7 Along with this increasing interest in soy protein has come the discovery of
very small and unique proteins in soy, typically referred to as "peptides." Other

health benefits of soy proteins are improved blood pressure regulation, better
control of blood sugar levels, and improved immune function.
There are mixed results and studies when looking at the effect of soy protein
consumption and the cardiovascular system, researchers have looked at 43
studies and the effects of soy protein on heart disease. When patients consumed
30 mg of soy protein studies show that there is a decrease in heart disease if
consumed daily. 8 Lowering LDL cholesterol is an integral part in decreasing
heart disease. 8 It is important to consume soy proteins whether whole form or
just soy protein on its own to aid in decreasing heart disease. It is also important
that soy protein be incorporated in the daily diet and to change the variety of soy
proteins. The findings in this study support the conclusion that soy can play a
beneficial role in support of cardiovascular health.
Vegetables are what come to mind when thinking of a good source of
antioxidants. Recent research on soy has highlighted many of the notable
antioxidant benefits that we get from this plant protein. Genistein a phytonutrient
has been regarded as the isoflavones that is responsible for reduction in cancer
risk. Genistein is a soy component that could easily be singled out for its
antioxidant properties. Increased activity of antioxidant enzyme has now been
linked to intake of genistein from soy. Another group of antioxidant phytonutrients
called phenolic acids has also been recently investigated in soybeans. When we
enjoy this antioxidant-rich legume, we also benefit from its phenolic acids,
including caffeic, coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acid.

Conclusion
With all the research going back on forth on the subject of soy proteins and if it
does help or hinder women in the likely hood of getting breast cancer. There is
nothing-definitive showing that 100% soy proteins do aid in breast cancer
reduction rate. Looking at animal studies would make someone not want to eat
soy proteins. The more accurate research to look at is the Shanghai womens
study, which shows that eating soy proteins especially during adolescents does
reduce the rate of developing breast cancer. Soy proteins are not just beneficial
in fighting breast cancer, but for many diseases.

Reference:
1. Mark J. Messina and Charles L. Loprinzi. Soy for Breast Cancer Survivors:
A Critical Review of the Literature. J. Nutrition. 131: 3095S3108S, 2001.
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Journal of Green Pharmacy Year: 2009 Vol: 3 Issue: 3 Pages/record No.:
176-183. 2009.
3. Barnes S. The Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physiology of the Isoflavones
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8(1): 8998. 2010.
4. Sang-Ah Lee, Xiao-Ou Shu et al. Adolescent and adult soy food intake
and breast cancer risk: results from the Shanghai Womens Health Study.
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Isoflavone Intake and Breast Cancer Risk. Department of Epidemiology &
Preventive Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu,
Japan Received October 9, 2009; accepted January 18, 2010; released
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Published online 2009 January 22. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-8-2. 2009.
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