Should breast cancer patients avoid soy?

I am being treated for breast cancer, I really like to eat soybeans and drink soy milk. Some people say that eating a lot of soybeans is not good for people with breast cancer, is that right? (Quynh Chi, 33 years old, Thanh Hoa)

Reply:

Soybeans contain isoflavones, fiber, and protein. They are considered a complete protein because they contain all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce.

Soy milk is lactose-free and can be used as a substitute for cow's milk for people with lactose intolerance. Soybeans also have many benefits for bone and joint health and cardiovascular health.

Much of the information suggesting that soy foods increase the risk of breast cancer comes from the inference that this food is rich in isoflavones, a group of phytoestrogens (plant-derived estrogens). While estrogen is thought to be a factor that increases the risk of breast cancer.

Estrogen in the human body affects sexual functions, pregnancy, reproduction and menopause. Phytoestrogens act like estrogen in the body, so people worry that eating phytoestrogens in soybeans will increase estrogen, promoting the growth of breast cancer. However, phytoestrogens in soybeans compete with estrogen on the cell surface, which has the effect of inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells.

Whole soybeans contain protein, isoflavones and fiber, providing many health benefits. Photo: Freepik. — Whole soybeans contain protein, isoflavones and fiber, providing many health benefits. Photo: *Freepik.*

A 2004 study of animals with breast cancer fed soy from various sources, including processed soy and proteins isolated from highly processed soy, found that highly processed soy can stimulate cancer cell growth.

Breast cancer patients should not eat processed soy foods such as soy burgers, soy sausages, soy ice cream, soy protein bars...

In your case, you can still eat soybeans and dishes made from this type of bean. Prioritize moderate use of fermented foods from organic soybeans such as natto, miso, tempeh because they contain a large amount of beneficial bacteria, good for digestion.

Breast cancer patients need to have a healthy, balanced, varied diet, using fresh, clean foods. Avoid salty, processed foods at high temperatures, fried foods many times, avoid drinking soft drinks, alcohol... Meals need to be rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants to reduce side effects during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Master, Doctor Huynh Ba Tan
Department of Breast Surgery, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

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