An analysis published in the International Journal of Cancer found women who supplemented with a supplement containing Isoflavones, including Soy, Red Clover, Garlic and Evening Primrose Oil for at least five years, saw a 25% reduced risk of developing breast cancer. These finding were only seen in post-menopausal women.
Researchers reviewed data from over 3,100 women with breast cancer and over 3,400 control subjects. Participants were questioned about their use of Isoflavone supplements. Researchers defined products containing Isoflavone values less than 0.025 mg as being low content products and products containing Isoflavone values of more than .676 mg were termed high content products.
Results showed that women who took supplements containing high Isolflavones had a significant reduction (28% risk reduction) in the risk of developing breast cancer. Further reductions in the risk of developing breast cancer (43% reduction) were seen the longer the supplementation was continued.
No associations in breast cancer risk reduction were seen in the participants with low Isoflavone supplementation. Additionally there was no difference between progesterone-estrogen tumor receptor statuses.
Worldwide, over 1 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer yearly. The highest incidences of breast cancer our found in the US and in the Netherlands. China has the lowest incidence and mortality rates of this deadly disease.
Hormone sensitive ER positive (Estrogen Receptor) and PR positive (Progesterone receptor) tumors are considered to be the most common type breast cancer diagnosed in the US. These tumors seem to be stimulated to grow by the female hormones progesterone and estrogen.
Conflicting reports about the benefits of Soy Isoflavone supplementation occur because Isoflavones are considered to be phytoestrogens – active substances that are derived from plants and have a weak estrogen like effect.
Further research is needed in both pre and postmenopausal women.
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