title: A critical view of the effects of phytoestrogens on hot flashes and breast cancer risk.
abstract: The increased risk of breast cancer recently observed with some specific estro-progestin associations has raised concerns about the harmful effects of menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It has been proposed that phytoestrogens (PEs), which have a similar chemical structure to estrogens, could be used as HRT. The main selling points of these preparations concern the management of hot flashes and their potential beneficial effects on breast tissue. In this review, we will address the effects of PE on hot flashes and breast cancer risk as well as the questions raised on a chemical point of view. We conclude that the efficacy of a PE rich diet or nutritional supplements is not clearly established. The use of PE as an alternative for HRT cannot be advocated for now, due to insufficient and conflicting data on efficacy and safety. Moreover, due to the hormone dependence of breast cancer, PE use must be contraindicated in breast cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: Pole de Sénologie, Service d'Oncogénétique, Institut Curie, 26, rue d'Ulm, 75248 Paris Cedex 05, France. pascale.this@curie.net
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: This
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Cremoux
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leclercq
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jacquot
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000075202:Contraindications; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts