Abstract
Isoflavones, phytoestrogens in soy beans with estrogen-like properties, have been examined for their cancer protective effects. Mammographic density is a strong predictor of breast cancer. This review summarizes studies that have examined the association between isoflavones and breast density. Observational investigations in Hawaii and Singapore suggest slightly lower breast density among women of Asian descent with regular soy intake, but two larger studies from Japan and Singapore did not observe a protective effect. The findings from seven randomized trials with primarily Caucasian women indicate that soy or isoflavones do not modify mammographic density. Soy foods and isoflavone supplements within a nutritional range do not appear to modify breast cancer risk as assessed by mammographic density.
Highlights
The low breast cancer rates in Japan as compared to Western countries and epidemiologic evidence [1,2] offer support for the hypothesis that soy intake protects against breast cancer.Investigations among women with Japanese and Chinese ancestry suggest that beneficial effects are more likely to be present in women who consumed soy during childhood and adolescence [2,3,4]
The equol producers among a group of sedentary postmenopausal women in Seattle were found to have lower mammographic densities than the non-producers [68]. These results suggest that particular intestinal bacterial profiles that facilitate isoflavone metabolism may be associated with lower postmenopausal mammographic density
Japanese and Chinese women did not observe any conclusive evidence for a protective effect [55,56]
Summary
The low breast cancer rates in Japan as compared to Western countries and epidemiologic evidence [1,2] offer support for the hypothesis that soy intake protects against breast cancer. Investigations among women with Japanese and Chinese ancestry suggest that beneficial effects are more likely to be present in women who consumed soy during childhood and adolescence [2,3,4]. Nutrients 2010, 2 review summarizes investigations that have examined the association between isoflavones and mammographic density as a marker for breast cancer risk. We present background information on the potential mechanisms of action for isoflavones and on the concept of mammographic density as a surrogate outcome for breast cancer and its relation to steroid hormones
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