Thursday Aug 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- Supplementation of isoflavones may help reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a new study in the International Journal of Cancer.

The study led by Beatrice A. Boucher from Prevention and Cancer Control, Cancer Care Ontario in Toronto, Ontario and colleagues shows that individuals who had highest intakes of supplemental isoflavones were 61 percent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, compared with those who did not use these supplements.

Food-based isoflavones have been found associated with reduced risk of breast cancer.  The current case-control study was intended to examine the association between isoflavone supplements and breast cancer risk,.

The study involved 3,101 cases of breast cancer identified in 2002 to 2003 from the Ontario Cancer Registry and 3,471 controls from the general population.  A total of 28 isoflavone supplements were included in the analysis.

After adjustment for age, several supplements were found associated with 61% reduced risk of breast cancer.

Those who ever used three or more isoflavone supplements were 32% less likely to develop breast cancer and those who ever used any for five years or longer were 25% less likely to develop the disease. 

It was also found that associations were not affected by estrogen-progesterone tumor receptor status. 

The researchers concluded "In conclusion, isoflavone supplements were associated with decreased postmenopausal breast cancer risk."  (reporting by Jimmy Downs)