Soy foods have been controversial in regards to breast cancer patients due to the isoflavones contained in soy. “Soy foods are rich in isoflavones, a major group of phytoestrogens that have been hypothesized to reduce the risk of breast cancer. However, the estrogen-like effect of isoflavones and the potential interaction between isoflavones and tamoxifen have led to concern about soy food consumption among breast cancer patients,” writes the authors of a study led by Xiao Ou Shu, M.D., Ph.D., of Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

However the study shows an inverse relationship between the soy food intake of participants in the study and mortality or breast cancer recurrence. Study participants had a 29 percent lower risk of death in the group that consumed the highest level of soy foods.

For more information about this study, originally published in JAMA, please see http://www.news-medical.net/news/20091209/Soy-food-beneficial-for-women-....