Ovarian cancer and plant isoflavones in soy

[Frankiedoggo]

Was any of you guys told not to consume soy products because the isoflavones in it mimic estrogen?Boy how I miss my estrogen Couple of small trials suggested it could be beneficial in the absence of HRT. I was surprised that my consultant advised me to restrict soy and soy products!?!

[SuffolkJen]

Hi Frankiedoggo

I was advised to stop taking Evening Primrose Oil as it mimicked estrogen, as they couldn’t be sure it was safe for me. xx Jen

[Doggies221 in reply to SuffolkJen]

They can’t be sure that anything is safe, even drinking water. What to consume is prob best decided on benefits outweighing potential but uncertain negatives. Unfortunately, medical professionals rarely engage in weighing benefits v. Potential risks bc they’re not living in patients’ bodies, the easiest thing for them to say is don’t consume this don’t consume that bc I’m unsure if it’s safe.

[Frankiedoggo in reply to Doggies221]

So true! They don't even consider some things just say " not enough evidence"

[Doggies221 in reply to Frankiedoggo]

Some things are pure common sense but medicine is not a common sense science. For everything there has to be clinical trials but those are hard to perform and fund and when it comes to cheap interventions like HRT, no drug company sponsoring trials so “not enough evidence “. In the meantime, women’s QOL hangs in the balance and doctors hide behind the “not enough evidence.” That’s why, everyone should make their own decisions based on what they know.🤷‍♀️

[Frankiedoggo in reply to Doggies221]

I asked my doc if the cancer estrogen receptors are very specific for this hormone she said yes, then I asked her if estrogen from animal origin (my good old friend) has different structure compared to the plant derived phytoestrogen - she said yes plant substances have different structure. Then I asked her can the hormone receptor on cancer cells connect and utilise a totally different thing and she said it shouldn't! Then she said I am confusing myself and changed the topic very swiftly🙄😅 I suppose she too wants to avoid such situations and have more data. You are so right, there aren't enough money in funding trials for stuff like that. I was amazed how much research is there for the more common cancers. And of course, menopuose is very individual and it's a nuisance, nonetheless deserves attention, and answers. It is OK to want to have better quality of life...

[ZenaJ]

Hi, I wasn't told about any foods or drinks except when I had a bowel blockage and was told to eat a low fibre diet.

I eat a load of soy products and have done for years. I don't think it's affected me in any way.

It would be interesting to know what is the right thing to do. x

[bamboo89]

If your cancer was oestrogen sensitive, that would explain why your consultant said soya wasn't a good idea... I suggest you ask him/her.

[Frankiedoggo in reply to bamboo89]

Yes, it is estrogen sensitive but I can't help but wonder, could it be actually helpful if you are estrogen deficient!?! I just wish there was some more research on it, the ones that I found are very divided.

[bamboo89 in reply to Frankiedoggo]

Well look at it this way - one of the things feeding your cancer is oestrogen, therefore, keeping oestrogen out of the picture gives it one less thing to feed on. The lack of oestrogen won't make you feel fantastic at your age, but not having enough of it around won't adversely affect the cancer, just the rest of you, unfortunately.

[Doggies221 in reply to bamboo89]

So the rest of you is being slowly degraded and you’re not living fully bc of potential (but uncertain) effect of estrogen on cancer? Everyone weighs benefits and uncertainties differently. Also, the type of OC is an important consideration in these types of decisions.

[bamboo89 in reply to Doggies221]

Yep - ultimately it's your choice, but it is entirely possible to lead a good life without oestrogen.

[Frankiedoggo in reply to Doggies221]

That's exactly how I feel, in the majority of the menopause videos they only mention surgical meno spouse without HRT and it's all about how important hormones are for all body functions. At the end I thought how will I function without any estrogen! I freaked out so much!

[bamboo89 in reply to Frankiedoggo]

You made me laugh out loud😃 I never had HRT - couldn't have it because I''ve got a genetic clotting problem, nothing to do with cancer. Yea, the hot flushes were a pain in the butt, but not the end of the world - after all, many thousands of women got through menopause (however it was induced) before HRT and most managed to live good lives and reach a good age too, and still with a fully functioning brain! Menopause is not an illness.... Just a nuisance for a while, which as far as I was concerned was at least partially offset by not having to put up with periods any more. Personally, I was far more horrified at having to have chemo, which isn''t great for the body. Good luck with it anyway.

[Frankiedoggo in reply to bamboo89]

It's really good to hear that you are doing well without HRT, maybe I happened to watch all the wrong videos. Loved the fully functioning brain part🤣And yes! Not having periods and not worry about contraception is awesome! As my mum says let's " menopuose happily together" 😆

[Frankiedoggo in reply to bamboo89]

Thank you for your reply, I shouldn't have watched menopuose discussions online. Mostly about natural course of menopuose and trying to get people to accept HRT, By the end of it one feels doomed when not having HRT.

[Doggies221]

for what it’s worth, the 2025 NCCN guidelines on ovarian cancer say that a few trials have shown that HRT (which includes estrogen) in survivors have not shown reduced survival.

[Frankiedoggo in reply to Doggies221]

In all fairness I am doing OK after 2 surgeries, chemo and a stoma, but am just very worried if I end up with new issues.I hope I will be fit enough to go through 2 more surgeries to have the stoma reversed in the winter🤞

[TheOvacomeTeam Partner]

Dear Frankiedoggo, thank you for your post. You mentioned that your consultant has provided you with advice, which we would always advise is followed.

I have included some links below, which contain further information, which I hope you find helpful:

BGCS – Management of menopausal symptoms following treatment of gynaecological cancer: bgcs.org.uk/wp-content/uplo...

Ovacome Managing menopause post treatment using non hormonal approaches: youtube.com/watch?v=KSIoS0W...(Not working as expected?)

BDA The Association of British Dieticians: bda.uk.com/resource/cancer-...

Best wishes

Dolores - Ovacome

[Jax68]

I wonder if they've also recommended to cut out dairy where there is a lot of evidence of oestrogen? Seems odd to highlight one thing and not another. Unless you are already plant based?

[Frankiedoggo in reply to Jax68]

Hi, nobody mentioned anything about the dairy products! Ah, not the cheese! My oncologist did say to avoid curred deli meat and highly processed food in general. I eat meat and dairy but try to stick with good sources and smaller portions. I suppose many things may have impact but finding the balance and listening to our bodies. I can't restrict my diet too much because I will become skeletal so quickly.Being very underweight was a very traumatic experience.

Bare on mind the body can not fight without fuel. All is well in moderation 😋

[Jax68 in reply to Frankiedoggo]

That is shocking.My medication is an oestrogen blocker but what would be the point if I was ingesting oestrogen through dairy? Hidden HealthUnlocked do you have a view on this?

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team in reply to Jax68]

Hello Jax68

Thank you for your comment. We would always recommend talking to your team about your individual risks and any dietary changes. As general information, you'll see the information we linked to above from the Association of British Dietitians says there is "No link between dairy containing diets and risk of cancer or promoting cancer growth as a result of hormones." Here is the link again for ease: bda.uk.com/resource/cancer-...

You may be interested in a webinar we are running next week called Ovarian Cancer and Diet: Mythbusting with a specialist oncology dietitian. There is more information and a sign up link on this forum post: healthunlocked.com/ovacome/...

I hope this is useful. If you have any further questions please do let us know.

Best wishes

Anna

Ovacome Support

[Jax68 in reply to OvacomeSupport]

That's interesting because my oncologist suggested I reduce my dairy intake and she's always right up to date on research

[Hailun in reply to Jax68]

Hi Jax68, that’s interesting. My gynae also advised me to cut out dairy altogether. I’d already done that after reading a famous study by T.C Campbell (don’t know if it’s against rules to post book titles!).

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team in reply to Jax68]

Hello Jax68

Thank you for your comment. We would always recommend following the expert, individualised advice from your team.

We will ask at the webinar for any clarification in general terms around this issue.

Best wishes

Anna

Ovacome Support

[Frankiedoggo]

I know lovely, I too question everything but with so little research on LGSOC nobody knows. Mind that the hormones present in some meats and consequently dairy, can make anyone have their hormones messed up. That's why I prefer to consume smaller portions from organic source, same with dairy. For a person who eat meat, or a vegetarian cutting off dairy will be a massive change and the risks of other deficiencies may inhibit your body natural fighting abilities. I suppose for an established vegan would be OK. And we don't want that cos your body's response to treatment is the key, a fit and nourished body would best tolerate treatments of any sort! I do not plan to exclude soy products, my choice though. I think occasionally in a small amount it's beneficial. Imagine for some people who's diet is based on soy, cos it is in some countries, main protein source - building block for new healthy cells. It's very individual, I suppose We are the trial and hopefully one day this could help somene😊

[Hailun]

Hi Frankiedoggo,

Soya is a confusing topic! I asked so many docs about this, and couldn’t find consensus. Yes, soy is a phytoestrogen. That means that it acts on our body in a different way to say, animal estrogens. What to eat with HGSOC was so challenging, I’m now doing a BSc in nutritional science.

I think that it’s good to be reasonable. At first I was scared of eating the wrong thing, and stuck to a very strict diet for 2 years. I do eat lots of soy & tofu, but no processed foods and see snacks that contain soya leichen. I’ve read research which says these can be damaging.

Of course, it’s up to you what you eat, and it’s good to check with doctors in case some foods affect treatment, but it’s helpful not to panic.

Just for reference, I’m 42, BRCA1 +ve, diagnosed stage 3B high grade 2 years ago (90% estrogen receptors). Had surgery without lymph node removal, no chemo, no meds. Have tons of hot flushes! They are not fun. My integrative doctor recommended GABA, which I’m trying. Will see if that helps.

Don’t know if what I say helps at all, but I hope you find a way forward for you 🙏🏼

[Frankiedoggo in reply to Hailun]

Hello, thank you for your reply! It's always helpful to connect with who are going through the same challenge. I am glad you are doing so well apart of the hot flushes😅, I hope they will subside over time.It's so easy to go in to panic mode even when the things are going well so far. The "what if" always sneaks in my mind. I will look at GABA, although I suspect it's just how letrozole affects me.

Best wishes

[Hailun in reply to Frankiedoggo]

Hi, I heard from a friend just a few years old than me and 5 years into her OC diagnosis, that the hot flushes were awful for 3 years, then stopped. I guess because we get them so suddenly it’s a big change for the body. I’m so happy though not to have periods anymore; had such pain and heavy bleeding with endometriosis that it’s a great trade off! 😂

[Frankiedoggo in reply to Hailun]

Yeah, not having periods is heavenly!! I was shattered for 2-3 days!Also after the chemo most of my leg hairs didn't grow back, so that's another thing of my list🤣

[Hailun in reply to Frankiedoggo]

Awesome! It’s great to celebrate the “little” things 🙏🏼