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Soy, isoflavones harmful for ER+?

Page last modified on: September 9, 2008
Question from Ann: We are told to eat soy and isoflavones for our bones. But if you are estrogen-receptor-positive, it is not clear if you should use isoflavones. What are we to do?
Answers —Charles Shapiro, M.D.: That's a good question and one that's very confusing. The bottom line is we don't know whether soy products and isoflavones are harmful when you've had a breast cancer history. So I would say that in the absence of definitive information one way or the other, if you have an osteoporosis problem, I wouldn't choose to treat it with soy products.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Even for women without breast cancer, it's not clear how effective soy isoflavones are at minimizing bone loss or increasing bone strength. This is an area under study.

On Wednesday, August 21, 2002, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Keeping Your Bones Strong. Charles L. Shapiro, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about how to measure the strength of your bones, how to find out your risk for osteoporosis, and what you can do to lower that risk.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Charles L. Shapiro, M.D.

Charles L. Shapiro, M.D. is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer, and associate professor at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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