According to the medical world, a third of breast cancer cases are caused by the estrogen hormone. The breast cancer study, which has been conducted by researchers and scientists from City of Hope Centre in Duarte, California, revealed that pomegranates reduce the risk of developing breast cancer triggered by the estrogen hormones.
The substance contained by pomegranates- called ellagic acid- suppresses the production of estrogen and prevents the spreading of cancer cells and growth of tumors caused by estrogen, according to one of the authors of this study. Another study revealed the impact of consuming soy on breast cancer development. For more than 15 years, soy food has been investigated for its potential role in reducing breast cancer development. The initial enthusiasm on this idea was based on consistent observations.
These observations include diminished rates of breast cancer in Japan, and the first research conducted on animals indicated the fact that soy reduced the development of breast cancer tumors. The evidence suggested that the substances found in soy have anti-estrogen effects. Epidemiologic research is a useful way of investigating the relationship between diet and cancer. Epidemiology is a study of models, causes and control of diseases among people. There are two main types of epidemiologic research- control of causes and prospective studies.
For the first one, scientists compared people from those who had been diagnosed with cancer to those who had no type of cancer, hoping to identify characteristics, like diet or lifestyle, or which of those has an increased frequency to one group. In the prospective studies, scientists evaluate the characteristics of a large number of healthy people and then monitor the subjects for several years, hoping to identify if some certain elements are more frequent for those who develop cancer.
Generally, prospective studies are considered more credible than control ones. It is important to admit, though, that epidemiologic studies cannot establish the relationship between cause and effect. Only clinical studies can do that. But epidemiologic studies are often used as a base for clinical research activities.
In order to evaluate the connection between soy and the risk of breast cancer, Bruce Trock and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins - Medical School and Georgetown University, conducted an analysis of epidemiologic studies. This special analysis included 12 control studies and 6 prospective studies. All women were taken into account (Asian, non Asian) and observed that consuming soy reduced with 14% the risk of breast cancer. Even though the analysis of Trock and his colleagues suggest that soy can reduce the risk of breast cancer, no conclusions have been made until now. But soy food is an excellent source of fibers and can be introduced in your healthy diet.