Soy isoflavones consumption and risk of breast cancer incidence or recurrence: a meta-analysis of prospective studies.

High consumption of isoflavone-rich soy foods may reduce breast cancer development and recurrence risk.

This aim of this research work was to determine the correlation between soy isoflavone intake and breast cancer development and recurrence risk. Researchers analyzed dietary and clinical data obtained from 18 studies on the subject.

Researchers observed a low incidence and recurrence of breast cancer among Asian women who frequently consumed high quantities of isoflavone-containing soy foods. Surprisingly, diets high in soy isoflavones did not have any effect on breast cancer risk in Western women. The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that Asian women with high soy isoflavone intake are less likely to suffer from breast cancer than Western women regardless of their soy isoflavone consumption rate.