According to a Georgetown University researcher, eating soy products during puberty can lower the risk of breast cancer.  A certain chemical known as genistein in soy products is what protects women, but only if eaten during puberty.  This was published in the British Journal of Cancer.  Now these scientists must find out why this soy seems to help women out and protect them from breast cancer, which is the most commonly found cancer in women.

         According to the researcher it’s all about timing and if they can learn why this protection happens they’ll be able to prevent more cases of breast cancer.  Although there are a number of different theories of why eating soy during puberty can help lower breast cancer risks, no one knows for sure why this happens.  The researches have followed Asian women during puberty and afterwards who naturally eat soy in large amounts in their diet.  They have shown that the protective effect can lead to 50% reduction in the chance of breast cancer when soy is eaten during puberty. 

         Besides their human studies they have also studied these effects on mice and rats.  In rats the evidence has shown that eating genistein showed a reduction in developing mammary cancer.  However, exposure to soy to the fetus or in adults does not help as much as when it is consumed during puberty.  Some study suggest it is because it got rid of the kinds of cells where breast cancer originates or made these cells fewer in number. There is also evidence that this chemical helps to contribute to the production of beneficial proteins in the body that may have an effect on lowering the chances of getting cancer. 

         If you have young daughters, it could be worth introducing soy products in their diets.  Soy products such as tofu, soy milk and other products are delicious and healthful – and just could lower their risk of developing breast cancer later in life.