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

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Abstract

Numbers of epidemiologic studies assessing soy consumption and risk of breast cancer have yielded inconsistent results. We aimed to examine the association between soy isoflavones consumption and risk of breast cancer incidence or recurrence, by conducting a meta-analysis of prospective studies. We searched for all relevant studies with a prospective design indexed in PUBMED through September 1st, 2010. Summary relative risks (RR) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. Pre-specified stratified analyses and dose–response analysis were also performed. We identified 4 studies of breast cancer recurrence and 14 studies of breast cancer incidence. Soy isoflavones consumption was inversely associated with risk of breast cancer incidence (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.79–0.99). However, the protective effect of soy was only observed among studies conducted in Asian populations (RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.65–0.86) but not in Western populations (RR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.87–1.06). Soy isoflavones intake was also inversely associated with risk of breast cancer recurrence (RR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.70–0.99). Stratified analyses suggested that menopausal status may be an important effect modifier in these associations. We failed to identify a dose–response relationship between total isoflavones intake and risk of breast cancer incidence. Our study suggests soy isoflavones intake is associated with a significant reduced risk of breast cancer incidence in Asian populations, but not in Western populations. Further studies are warranted to confirm the finding of an inverse association of soy consumption with risk of breast cancer recurrence.

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Acknowledgments

J-Y D was responsible for the literature search, data analyses, and writing of the manuscript. L-Q Q was responsible for designing the research, interpreting the data and results, and revising the manuscript.

Conflicts of interest

None of the authors had declared a conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Radiation Medicine and Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China

    Jia-Yi Dong & Li-Qiang Qin

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Correspondence to Li-Qiang Qin.

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Dong, JY., Qin, LQ. Soy isoflavones consumption and risk of breast cancer incidence or recurrence: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. Breast Cancer Res Treat 125, 315–323 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-010-1270-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-010-1270-8

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