Breast Cancer and Soya Milk

Diseases & Conditions Breast Cancer
1
I wonder if anybody can offer me any advice please?
 
2 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and of course I read everything I could find on the subject to see what I could do to help myself.
 
One book I read suggested only using soya milk on cereals etc. and so I have carefully stuck to soya.
 
However last week I received an alarming email from Real Health, their Daily Dose e-newsletter which stated that soya should be outlawed as it contributes to breast cancer.
 
I am now wondering if I have been my own worst enemy these past 2 years and it frightens me to think what I might have been doing to myself.
 
Any comments on this, negative or positive would be welcome, as I am not sure whether or not to continue with the soya regime.
 
Thank you, Brenda
2

Hi Brenda-

Welcome to our little corner of the internet! Glad you found us and hopefully you will stick with us for a while...We are at all stages with the disease, from those who are newly diagnosed to our "old timer" 20 year survivor!

I had always heard that soy is a phytoestrogen (plant based estrogen) and that since they tell us to stay away from hormones, we should stay away from phytoestrogens too.  I do not go out of my way to avoid it in small quantities, but I do not use the milk or other soy based dairy products. I would ask the oncologist about it, and perhaps consult a nutritionist at the cancer center for recommendations. I would think that any amount of soy you had was pretty small and insignificant, but please ask the doc or RN.

Also, be careful what you read on the internet. There are a lot of folks selling snake oils and such. Try to stick to websites that have .org, .gov or .edu to remain with reputable ones.

Lori


3
Hi and welcome Brenda!
 
I read "The Breast Cancer Prevention Diet" by Dr. Bob Arnot right after I was diagnosed.  And he says some contradicting things about soy.  Soy is good in that it will take the place of our bodies estrogen when being absorbed by the breast tissue so that it will not act as our natural estrogen will and form the cancer (sort of like tamoxifen I guess).  But too much soy can cause issues.  He goes on to say that the asians have such a lower incidence of BC but it can't be wholly contributed to this.  And consuming too much soy at an early age could cause young women a higher risk of BC.  But wouldn't the asians have a higher incidence? 
 
It's clear as mud!!!
 
I had to wonder the same thing about myself since I had "self-diagnosed" myself with peri-menapause and started taking soy supplements about 1 1/2 years before my BC hit.  Now with what I am going through with my DD I am majorly concerned and would love to have a straight answer about this.
 
Sorry I was not any help.  But if you do find out anything please let us know.
 
Hugs,

Mia
 
Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.


-Vesta M. Kelly

4
Diagnosed BC 2010:

I had lumpectomy which confirmed 2 IDC lumps, 3mm - 4mm having 10mm spread. 2 nodes removed which were clear.

I had 3 weeks radio, and then started tamoxifen which has been a nightmare, my oncologist said i had a 96% success without it, so today after 4 weeks of agonising pain, very dry skin, ezcema after 40 years, terrible vag dryness which resulted in a strep B infection, constipation u name it - have decided today to stop taking it.

I also have been soaking up any and all info, and would interested like jonsav to learn more on soya and breast cancer, I was also told flaxseed oil, figs, grapefruit and plenty of green veg.

I have a friend who is doing alternative medicine after discovering BC. She was horrified when i told her i had agreed to radio, and said it is never to late to de tox. She suggested 5 kelp tablets daily to de tox. dont take tamo, - start with erradicating everything none to man that is harmless. This seems a life changing decision (I love coffee, shampo, washing clothes, moisturisers, dont smoke or drink now, veggie, low fat).

Could anyone give advice to stopping tamoxifen.

Pinkie