Is edamame safe to eat with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer? This is a really common question, and the short answer is: it's generally considered safe, and may even be beneficial.
Edamame is a soy-based whole food that contains natural estrogen-like compounds called phytoestrogens. Despite sounding similar to Show Full Answer
Is edamame safe to eat with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer? This is a really common question, and the short answer is: it's generally considered safe, and may even be beneficial.
Edamame is a soy-based whole food that contains natural estrogen-like compounds called phytoestrogens. Despite sounding similar to estrogen, phytoestrogens are actually quite different from the estrogen your body produces, and eating soy does not raise your body's natural estrogen levels. In fact, some studies suggest soy foods may actually help lower breast cancer risk, even for those with ER-positive breast cancer. Soybeans contain antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and may lower cancer risk.
If you'd like to add more soy to your diet, whole food sources are the way to go, such as:
- Edamame (soybeans)
- Tofu
- Soy milk
- Miso paste
Doctors generally don't recommend soy supplements, only whole food sources.
As a MyBCTeam member shared, getting a clear answer on soy and estrogen can feel frustrating. The best step is to have a conversation with your oncologist or a registered dietitian who can give guidance tailored to your specific treatment plan.
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