Effect of a Soy Dietary Supplement on Menopausal Symptoms and Hormones in Women at High Risk of Breast Cancer.
Abstract
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is being sought by 30-40% of postmenopausal women (1). Recent studies suggest that HRT should not be used by women with breast cancer or by women at increased risk for the disease since HRT increases breast cancer risk in such women by 1.5 to 3.4 fold (2-6). Currently, no safe alternative to HRT is available to treat menopausal symptoms in these women. Our research proposal will investigate the efficacy of an alternative treatment for menopausal symptoms using a soy dietary supplement bar containing high levels of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens, genistein and diadzein, have recently been reported to have weak estrogen-like properties and have demonstrated binding to estrogen receptors (7-8). The low levels of reported menopausal symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats in Japanese postmenopausal women as well as the lower risk of breast cancer in Japanese women have been suggested to be due to the high consumption of phytoestrogens in soy products in this population (9a). Identifying a substitute for HRT that alleviated the hot flashes of menopausal women but did not carry an increased risk for breast cancer would be of important clinical significance to women at increased risk for breast cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA302461
Entities
People
- Margo N. Woods
Organizations
- Tufts University