High Intake Of Soy Isoflavones Tied To Reduced Recurrence Of Breast Cancer

Chinese researchers who studied the dietary habits of more than 500 post-menopausal women who had undergone breast cancer surgery found that a high intake of soy isoflavones from foods like soymilk, soybean sprouts, tofu and other soy products was associated with reduced risk of recurrence of cancer. The women also received anastrozole or endocrine therapy during their recovery, and their health histories and diets were followed via questionnaires for about five years. According to the researchers, the overall death rate (30.6 percent) was not related to intake of soy isoflavones, but the risk of cancer recurrence among women who consumed the highest levels of soy isoflavones was significantly lower.  The researchers recommended much larger, multicenter clinical studies to confirm their results.