Soy-based foods offer no protection against cancer of the lining of the womb, researchers say today.
The possible link between soy-derived foods and endometrial cancer has been re-examined by researchers from Japan.
Dr Motoki Iwasaki of the National Cancer Centre in Tokyo, and colleagues explain that the link "has been inconsistent". Soy foods contain compounds called isoflavones which can act in a similar way to the hormone oestrogen in the human body. Due to this, they may affect the growth of hormone-related cancer cells.
In the new study, the team used figures on 49,121 Japanese women aged from 45 to 74 years, who were surveyed at the start of the study, and again five years later, about their health and dietary habits. Intakes of eight different soy containing foods were measured – such as miso soup, tofu and soy milk. This allowed the researchers to calculate total intake of the isoflavones genistein and daidzein.
Over the five year follow-up, 112 women were diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Intake of tofu, miso soup and soy food, or levels of isoflavones, showed no association with the condition, once age, alcohol, smoking, body mass index, menopausal status, coffee intake and number of babies were taken into account.
Full details are published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
"Our study found that intake of soy and isoflavones were not associated with the risk of endometrial cancer," said Dr Iwasaki. "Although the incidence of endometrial cancer is much lower in Asian countries, the incidence rate has been increasing. We also know that the consumption of soy foods among Japanese people is very high.
"We need further studies with a greater number of cases to verify these findings and add to the research base."
Budhathoki, S. et al for the JPHC Study Group. Soy food and isoflavone intake and endometrial cancer risk: the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study. BJOG 18 June 2014; doi:10.1111/1471-0528.12853. [abstract]
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