Opinions on soy products

Hi Neadi,

The subject of soy is a real mine field! This is definitely a question for your doctor and depends on your individual diagnosis. I do know of several women who were told to avoid soy-based foods after breast cancer so you are absolutely right to be cautious. Especially as a lot of processed food already contains some soy!

Concerning dairy, I asked 3 of the various doctors I saw in the past year about whether dairy was to be avoided. All three said that there was no convincing evidence that it was harmful and that some components appear to provide protection. Unless I had a lactose intolerance they advised continuing to include a moderate amount of dairy in my diet. Of course you might get quite a different answer - it's definitely worth asking these questions when you see your doctors.

All the best

Kathleen

Hi Kathleen!!
Thanks for that!! It's so very confusing isn't it? One book is saying that soy is a superfood and then others are telling you to avoid at all costs!!! Maybe it's everything in moderation??? Who knows? But will be asking my docs!!!
Thanks xx

Neadi,

If you do ask your doc, will you post what they say? I asked my onc and she said ' there is no conclusive evidence'. And so I went happily back to soy sauce. Now I am worried. No evidence only means there is no evidence. Not no danger. Or not, if you follow me!

Xx

Didn't get a chance to ask as had sentinel node job last Thursday , but from the books and articles I've read, soy sauce should be avoided where possible because of the high sodium count in it...
But don't worry will try to get to the bottom of it!!!
N xx

Hi Neadi and Ephemere,

Neadi, I hope your biopsy went well and that your results will be good.

It is true that soy sauce is very salty and that everyone needs to keep salt intake under control for a healthy heart but apparently soy sauce contains very little soy.

The possible dangers for breast cancer survivors with respect to soy is that it is not clear whether one of the natural elements present in it - the phytoestrogens - are likely to act as tumour fuel for ladies like myself whose tumour was oestrogen positive. Dangerous or helpful? Very unclear.

Here are some articles I found that are very scary:

http://kerryg.hubpages.com/hub/The-Phyt ... ontroversy
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercol ... 22466.html
http://www.naturalhealthstrategies.com/ ... f-soy.html

On the other hand the Livestrong web site seems to promote soy as beneficial:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/43408 ... for-women/

As I said before - a mine field. Certainly controversial enough to be cautious about swopping from dairy to soy without individual medical advice.

All the best

Kathleen

As far as I know if you are hormone positive - ER+ or PR+ you must not go near Soy products.