© 2003 by Oxford University Press
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 95, No. 12, 906-913,
June 18, 2003
© 2003 Oxford University Press
ARTICLE |
Soy, Isoflavones, and Breast Cancer Risk in Japan
For the Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study on Cancer Cardiovascular Diseases (JPHC Study) Group
Affiliations of authors: S. Yamamoto, T. Sobue, Cancer Information and Epidemiology Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan; M. Kobayashi, S. Sasaki, S. Tsugane, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute, East, Kashiwa, Japan.
Correspondence to: Seiichiro Yamamoto, Ph.D., Cancer Information and Epidemiology Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 51-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan (e-mail: siyamamo{at}ncc.go.jp).
Background: Although isoflavones, such as those found in soy, have been shown to inhibit breast cancer in laboratory studies, associations between consumption of isoflavone-containing foods and breast cancer risk have been inconsistent in epidemiologic studies. We evaluated the relationship between isoflavone consumption and breast cancer risk among women in the Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study on Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases (JPHC Study). Methods: In January 1990, 21 852 Japanese female residents (aged 4059 years) from four public health center areas completed a self-administered questionnaire, which included items about the frequency of soy consumption. Through December 1999 and 209 354 person-years of follow-up, 179 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for breast cancer in relation to consumption of miso soup, soyfoods, and estimated isoflavones. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Consumption of miso soup and isoflavones, but not of soyfoods, was inversely associated with the risk of breast cancer. The associations did not change substantially after adjustment for potential confounders, including reproductive history, family history, smoking, and other dietary factors. Compared with those in the lowest quartile of isoflavone intake, the adjusted RRs for breast cancer for women in the second, third, and highest quartiles were 0.76 (95% CI = 0.47 to 1.2), 0.90 (95% CI = 0.56 to 1.5), and 0.46 (95% CI = 0.25 to 0.84), respectively (Ptrend = .043). The inverse association was stronger in postmenopausal women (Ptrend = .006). Conclusion: In a population-based, prospective cohort study in Japan, frequent miso soup and isoflavone consumption was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer.
Correspondence about this Article
- Re: Soy, Isoflavones, and Breast Cancer Risk in Japan
- Shuku Fujimaki and Kunihiko Hayashi
J Natl Cancer Inst 2003 95: 1881-1882.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
- RESPONSE: Re: Soy, Isoflavones, and Breast Cancer Risk in Japan
- Seiichiro Yamamoto, Tomotaka Sobue, Minatsu Kobayashi, Satoshi Sasaki, and Shoichiro Tsugane
J Natl Cancer Inst 2003 95: 1881-1882.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
S.-A. Lee, X.-O. Shu, H. Li, G. Yang, H. Cai, W. Wen, B.-T. Ji, J. Gao, Y.-T. Gao, and W. Zheng Adolescent and adult soy food intake and breast cancer risk: results from the Shanghai Women's Health Study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 2009; 89(6): 1920 - 1926. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Messina and A. H Wu Perspectives on the soy-breast cancer relation Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2009; 89(5): 1673S - 1679S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. A. Korde, A. H. Wu, T. Fears, A. M.Y. Nomura, D. W. West, L. N. Kolonel, M. C. Pike, R. N. Hoover, and R. G. Ziegler Childhood Soy Intake and Breast Cancer Risk in Asian American Women Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., April 1, 2009; 18(4): 1050 - 1059. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
X. Jiang, N. M. Patterson, Y. Ling, J. Xie, W. G. Helferich, and D. J. Shapiro Low Concentrations of the Soy Phytoestrogen Genistein Induce Proteinase Inhibitor 9 and Block Killing of Breast Cancer Cells by Immune Cells Endocrinology, November 1, 2008; 149(11): 5366 - 5373. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Akhter, M. Inoue, N. Kurahashi, M. Iwasaki, S. Sasazuki, S. Tsugane, and for the Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospecti Dietary Soy and Isoflavone Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., August 1, 2008; 17(8): 2128 - 2135. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. Hosoda, T. Furuta, A. Yokokawa, K. Ogura, A. Hiratsuka, and K. Ishii Plasma Profiling of Intact Isoflavone Metabolites by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometric Identification of Flavone Glycosides Daidzin and Genistin in Human Plasma after Administration of Kinako Drug Metab. Dispos., August 1, 2008; 36(8): 1485 - 1495. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. Jaceldo-Siegl, G. E Fraser, J. Chan, A. Franke, and J. Sabate Validation of soy protein estimates from a food-frequency questionnaire with repeated 24-h recalls and isoflavonoid excretion in overnight urine in a Western population with a wide range of soy intakes Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2008; 87(5): 1422 - 1427. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Iwasaki, M. Inoue, T. Otani, S. Sasazuki, N. Kurahashi, T. Miura, S. Yamamoto, and S. Tsugane Plasma Isoflavone Level and Subsequent Risk of Breast Cancer Among Japanese Women: A Nested Case-Control Study From the Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study Group J. Clin. Oncol., April 1, 2008; 26(10): 1677 - 1683. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. L Butler, G. E Fraser, W L. Beeson, S. F Knutsen, R P. Herring, J. Chan, J. Sabate, S. Montgomery, E. Haddad, S. Preston-Martin, et al. Cohort Profile: The Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2) Int. J. Epidemiol., April 1, 2008; 37(2): 260 - 265. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. J Powles, A. Howell, D G. Evans, E. V McCloskey, S. Ashley, R. Greenhalgh, J. Affen, L. A. Flook, and A. Tidy Red clover isoflavones are safe and well tolerated in women with a family history of breast cancer Menopause Int, March 1, 2008; 14(1): 6 - 12. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. H. Xu, Q. Dai, Y. B. Xiang, J. R. Long, Z. X. Ruan, J. R. Cheng, W. Zheng, and X. O. Shu Interaction of Soy Food and Tea Consumption with CYP19A1 Genetic Polymorphisms in the Development of Endometrial Cancer Am. J. Epidemiol., December 15, 2007; 166(12): 1420 - 1430. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Kokubo, H. Iso, J. Ishihara, K. Okada, M. Inoue, S. Tsugane, and for the JPHC Study Group Association of Dietary Intake of Soy, Beans, and Isoflavones With Risk of Cerebral and Myocardial Infarctions in Japanese Populations: The Japan Public Health Center Based (JPHC) Study Cohort I Circulation, November 27, 2007; 116(22): 2553 - 2562. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Duffy, K. Perez, and A. Partridge Implications of Phytoestrogen Intake for Breast Cancer CA Cancer J Clin, September 1, 2007; 57(5): 260 - 277. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Mei, C. Wood, M. R. L'Abbe, G. S. Gilani, G. M. Cooke, I. H. Curran, and C. W. Xiao Consumption of Soy Protein Isolate Modulates the Phosphorylation Status of Hepatic ATPase/ATP Synthase {beta} Protein and Increases ATPase Activity in Rats J. Nutr., September 1, 2007; 137(9): 2029 - 2035. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. E. Wood, T. C. Register, and J.M. Cline Soy isoflavonoid effects on endogenous estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal female monkeys Carcinogenesis, April 1, 2007; 28(4): 801 - 808. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. Horia and B. A. Watkins Complementary actions of docosahexaenoic acid and genistein on COX-2, PGE2 and invasiveness in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells Carcinogenesis, April 1, 2007; 28(4): 809 - 815. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Steiner, W. H.M. Peters, E. P. Gallagher, P. Magee, I. Rowland, and B. L. Pool-Zobel Genistein protects human mammary epithelial cells from benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal genotoxicity by modulating the glutathione/glutathione S-transferase system Carcinogenesis, March 1, 2007; 28(3): 738 - 748. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. E. Akbas, X. Fei, and H. S. Taylor Regulation of HOXA10 expression by phytoestrogens Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, February 1, 2007; 292(2): E435 - E442. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Atkinson, J. W Lampe, D. Scholes, C. Chen, K. Wahala, and S. M Schwartz Lignan and isoflavone excretion in relation to uterine fibroids: a case-control study of young to middle-aged women in the United States. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2006; 84(3): 587 - 593. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C.-L. Sun, J.-M. Yuan, W.-P. Koh, and M. C. Yu Green tea, black tea and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies Carcinogenesis, July 1, 2006; 27(7): 1310 - 1315. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. J. Trock, L. Hilakivi-Clarke, and R. Clarke Meta-analysis of soy intake and breast cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst, April 5, 2006; 98(7): 459 - 471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. M. Sacks, A. Lichtenstein, L. Van Horn, W. Harris, P. Kris-Etherton, M. Winston, and for the American Heart Association Nutrition Commi Soy Protein, Isoflavones, and Cardiovascular Health: An American Heart Association Science Advisory for Professionals From the Nutrition Committee Circulation, February 21, 2006; 113(7): 1034 - 1044. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. E. Wood, T. C. Register, A. A. Franke, M. S. Anthony, and J. M. Cline Dietary Soy Isoflavones Inhibit Estrogen Effects in the Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Res., January 15, 2006; 66(2): 1241 - 1249. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Stuedal, I. T. Gram, Y. Bremnes, H. Adlercreutz, M. B. Veierod, and G. Ursin Plasma Levels of Enterolactone and Percentage Mammographic Density among Postmenopausal Women Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., September 1, 2005; 14(9): 2154 - 2159. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. K. Melby, M. Lock, and P. Kaufert Culture and symptom reporting at menopause Hum. Reprod. Update, September 1, 2005; 11(5): 495 - 512. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J.-M. Yuan, W.-P. Koh, C.-L. Sun, H.-P. Lee, and M. C. Yu Green tea intake, ACE gene polymorphism and breast cancer risk among Chinese women in Singapore Carcinogenesis, August 1, 2005; 26(8): 1389 - 1394. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. H Wu, F. Z Stanczyk, C. Martinez, C.-C. Tseng, S. Hendrich, P. Murphy, S. Chaikittisilpa, D. O Stram, and M. C Pike A controlled 2-mo dietary fat reduction and soy food supplementation study in postmenopausal women Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2005; 81(5): 1133 - 1141. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Bosetti, L. Spertini, M. Parpinel, P. Gnagnarella, P. Lagiou, E. Negri, S. Franceschi, M. Montella, J. Peterson, J. Dwyer, et al. Flavonoids and Breast Cancer Risk in Italy Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., April 1, 2005; 14(4): 805 - 808. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Atkinson, C. L. Frankenfeld, and J. W. Lampe Gut Bacterial Metabolism of the Soy Isoflavone Daidzein: Exploring the Relevance to Human Health Experimental Biology and Medicine, March 1, 2005; 230(3): 155 - 170. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Liu, S. Edgerton, X. Yang, A. Kim, D. Ordonez-Ercan, T. Mason, K. Alvarez, C. McKimmey, N. Liu, and A. Thor Low-Dose Dietary Phytoestrogen Abrogates Tamoxifen-Associated Mammary Tumor Prevention Cancer Res., February 1, 2005; 65(3): 879 - 886. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Shannon, R. Ray, C. Wu, Z. Nelson, D. L. Gao, W. Li, W. Hu, J. Lampe, N. Horner, J. Satia, et al. Food and Botanical Groupings and Risk of Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study in Shanghai, China Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., January 1, 2005; 14(1): 81 - 90. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. Bhakta, I. dos Santos Silva, C. Higgins, L. Sevak, T. Kassam-Khamis, P. Mangtani, H. Adlercreutz, and A. McMichael A Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire Is a Valid Indicator of the Usual Intake of Phytoestrogens by South Asian Women in the UK Relative to Multiple 24-h Dietary Recalls and Multiple Plasma Samples J. Nutr., January 1, 2005; 135(1): 116 - 123. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Maskarinec, A. A. Franke, A. E. Williams, S. Hebshi, C. Oshiro, S. Murphy, and F. Z. Stanczyk Effects of a 2-Year Randomized Soy Intervention on Sex Hormone Levels in Premenopausal Women Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., November 1, 2004; 13(11): 1736 - 1744. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. L. Neuhouser Soy and Mammographic Breast Density: Plausible Hypothesis but Limited Evidence in Humans J. Nutr., November 1, 2004; 134(11): 2911 - 2912. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Maskarinec, Y. Takata, A. A. Franke, A. E. Williams, and S. P. Murphy A 2-Year Soy Intervention in Premenopausal Women Does Not Change Mammographic Densities J. Nutr., November 1, 2004; 134(11): 3089 - 3094. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Fujioka, M. Uehara, J. Wu, H. Adlercreutz, K. Suzuki, K. Kanazawa, K. Takeda, K. Yamada, and Y. Ishimi Equol, a Metabolite of Daidzein, Inhibits Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Mice J. Nutr., October 1, 2004; 134(10): 2623 - 2627. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. D. Allred, K. F. Allred, Y. H. Ju, T. S. Goeppinger, D. R. Doerge, and W. G. Helferich Soy processing influences growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer tumors Carcinogenesis, September 1, 2004; 25(9): 1649 - 1657. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Messina Western soy intake is too low to produce health effects Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, August 1, 2004; 80(2): 528 - 529. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. E. Wood, T. C. Register, M. S. Anthony, N. D. Kock, and J. M. Cline Breast and Uterine Effects of Soy Isoflavones and Conjugated Equine Estrogens in Postmenopausal Female Monkeys J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2004; 89(7): 3462 - 3468. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. B. Grace, J. I. Taylor, Y.-L. Low, R. N. Luben, A. A. Mulligan, N. P. Botting, M. Dowsett, A. A. Welch, K.-T. Khaw, N. J. Wareham, et al. Phytoestrogen Concentrations in Serum and Spot Urine as Biomarkers for Dietary Phytoestrogen Intake and Their Relation to Breast Cancer Risk in European Prospective Investigation of Cancer and Nutrition-Norfolk Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., May 1, 2004; 13(5): 698 - 708. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. G Ziegler Phytoestrogens and breast cancer Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2004; 79(2): 183 - 184. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. H. Wu, M. C. Yu, C.-C. Tseng, N. C. Twaddle, and D. R. Doerge Plasma isoflavone levels versus self-reported soy isoflavone levels in Asian-American women in Los Angeles County Carcinogenesis, January 1, 2004; 25(1): 77 - 81. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Fujimaki and K. Hayashi Re: Soy, Isoflavones, and Breast Cancer Risk in Japan J Natl Cancer Inst, December 17, 2003; 95(24): 1881 - 1882. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Yamamoto, T. Sobue, M. Kobayashi, S. Sasaki, and S. Tsugane RESPONSE: Re: Soy, Isoflavones, and Breast Cancer Risk in Japan J Natl Cancer Inst, December 17, 2003; 95(24): 1881 - 1882. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Yamamoto, Y. Togawa, M. Shimosaka, and M. Okazaki Purification and Characterization of a Novel Bacteriocin Produced by Enterococcus faecalis Strain RJ-11 Appl. Envir. Microbiol., October 1, 2003; 69(10): 5746 - 5753. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||


















