Can soybean milk prevent breast cancer?

The MiSO study will determine whether women who consume soy have a lower risk of breast cancer. Photo: Filepic

Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) is carrying out a study to find out whether drinking soybean milk, eating beancurd, taking soy supplements or other soy products can help to prevent breast cancer.

The Malaysian Soy Mammographic Density Study (MiSO) is a breast cancer prevention study to determine whether women who consume soy have a lower risk of breast cancer.

For those who are wondering why soy, it’s because researchers have been studying the anti-cancer properties of soy since 1991.

According to CRMY, countries such as Japan and China consume about 50-75mg of soy isoflavones (plant-based nutrients) daily and that’s equivalent to drinking about two glasses of soybean milk a day. In these countries, women who consume the most amount of soy are least likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer compared to women who take little-to-no soy in their diet, CRMY revealed in their website.

It is known that high estrogen is a risk factor for breast cancer after menopause. But, says CRMY, soy contains three important isoflavones which when released into the body, compete with natural estrogen and limit estrogen activity. This is one of the ways where soy isoflavones can reduce the risk of breast cancer.

MiSO will study women between the ages of 45 and 65 who are no longer having their menstrual periods. The women must be in good health and have not been diagnosed with cancer, stroke, gout, hypothyroidism, diabetes, or other serious health conditions nor had any surgery on the breast. They must also not be on any hormone replacement therapy nor smoked in the past six months.

All these women have to do is drink two glasses of soy milk or take soy supplements daily.

“What I enjoy most about being part of The MiSO Study is the fact that it’s a study to reduce breast cancer, which my eldest sister survived from. And I’ve always liked soya products to begin with; so to be part of this study is a good experience, ” says MiSO participant Madam Chin.

“I have deep respect for the ones who contribute directly for the well-being of others in the medical field. But not being from the medical field, my participation and involvement in this study is part of my small contribution towards health betterment, ” another MiSO participant Madam Tan adds.

Fonte: The Star

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