Soya foods and breast cancer risk: a prospective study in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan
1999

Soya Foods and Breast Cancer Risk

Sample size: 34759 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Key T J, Sharp G B, Appleby P N, Beral V, Goodman M T, Soda M, Mabuchi K

Primary Institution: Imperial Cancer Research Fund Cancer Epidemiology Unit

Hypothesis

The study investigates the association between soya food consumption and breast cancer risk.

Conclusion

The study found no significant association between soya food consumption and breast cancer risk among women in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Supporting Evidence

  • The analysis involved 427 cases of primary breast cancer in 488,989 person-years of observation.
  • Relative risks for tofu consumption were 0.99 for two to four times per week and 1.07 for five or more times per week.
  • Relative risks for miso soup consumption were 1.03 for two to four times per week and 0.87 for five or more times per week.
  • Only dried fish and pickled vegetables showed significant associations with breast cancer risk.

Takeaway

Eating soya foods like tofu and miso soup doesn't seem to affect the risk of getting breast cancer.

Methodology

Women completed dietary questionnaires and were followed for breast cancer incidence over several years.

Limitations

The study's findings may be influenced by the large number of comparisons made, which could lead to chance associations.

Participant Demographics

Women from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, including atomic bomb survivors.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

95% CI 0.80–1.24 for tofu consumption two to four times per week; 95% CI 0.78–1.47 for five or more times per week.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6690837

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