Title
Breast cancer is the most common occurring malignancy and second leading cause of cancer related death among women in the U.S. Standard treatment options include surgery radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and palliative approaches. More recently, phytoestrogens, naturally occurring chemicals in plants such as soybeans, are hypothesized to have a protective effect against breast cancer. Phytoestrogens show effects similar to endogenous estrogens. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the potential antiproliferative effects of phytoestrogens on breast tissue, in a 2 yr double blinded randomized controlled trial in which half of participant will receive isoflavone soybean extract and the other half placebo. Postmenopausal women who have breast cancer involving one breast, who are post cancer therapy and at least 30 years old will be eligible for this study. Data collection will occur via ultrasound guided needle breast tissue biopsy of the uninvolved breast, and bilateral breast mammography at baseline, 6 months and 1 year, as well as an additional mammography, history and physical at 2 years. Tissue biopsies will be evaluated using immunohistochemical staining to determine a change in epithelial cell proliferation due to phytoestrogen consumption would likewise translate to similar beneficial effects in breast cancer recurrence and survival rates. Also, this study would help establish evidence supporting a plausible physiological mechanism if such effects are later established.
