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Phytoestrogens May Reduce Risk of Lung Cancer
A new study at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
shows that natural compounds in beans and vegetables may reduce
the risk of lung cancer. Phytoestrogens (phyto means plant) are
structurally similar to estrogen hormones, but are much weaker.
They occur naturally in many plants and, because they compete
with the body’s natural estrogens to attach to estrogen
receptors, they tend to reduce estrogen’s effects, thus
reducing cancer risk. Researchers compared 1,674 lung cancer
patients with 1,735 healthy individuals and concluded that those
who consumed the most phytoestrogens had a 46 percent less chance
of getting lung cancer. Previous studies have shown that phytoestrogens
may also reduce the risk of cancers of the breast, uterus, and
prostate.
Schabath MB, Hernandez LM, Wu X, Pillow PC, Spitz MR. Dietary
phytoestrogens and lung cancer risk. JAMA. 2005;294:1493-1504.
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