Phytoestrogens and Breast Diseases: A Matter of Concern for the Gynecologist

Background: This study is the last part of a quadruple series investigating therelationship between breast disorders and the consumption of exogenous sexhormones. Due to the structural similarity of phytoestrogens to estrogen and theconfusion associated with their possible estrogenic activity in the breast, this partaims at reviewing of the literature on the relationship between phytoestrogens andbreast disorders. Methods: We carried out a thorough search of the existing literature usingappropriate keywords with the aim of finding systematic reviews, reviews, cohortstudies and clinical trials regarding the effects of phytoestrogens on the breast inthe general population, breast cancer survivors, women at high risk of breastcancer and those with benign breast diseases. Results: Many studies have approached the relationship betweenphytoestrogens and the risk of breast cancer or recurrence of the disease. Also, afew studies have considered the effects of phytoestrogens on benign breastdisorders, BRCA genes, and the risk of breast cancer in high risk women. However,the variety of studies and the retrospective nature of many of them make itimpossible to draw definite conclusions. Conclusion: Existing data generally supports the safety of phytoestrogenconsumption regarding the risk of breast cancer in the general population, inwomen with benign breast disorders, in those at risk of breast cancer, and even insurvivors of the cancer. However, due to insufficient evidence, prescription of highdoses of phytoestrogens is still not recommended.

کلیدواژه ها:

Breast cancer estrogen ، hot flush ، isoflavone menopause ، phytoestrogen