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Published on: August 13, 2019
Urinary phytoestrogens and postmenopausal breast cancer risk
I den Tonkelaar1, L Keinan-Boker, P V Veer
1Julius Center for Patient-Oriented Research, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Summary
This study found no significant association between urinary genistein or enterolactone levels and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal Dutch women. The previously suggested protective effects of these phytoestrogens were not detected in this population.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Oncology
Background:
- Phytoestrogens are plant compounds structurally or functionally similar to estradiol.
- Genistein and enterolactone are major phytoestrogens with potential roles in cancer prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between urinary genistein and enterolactone levels and breast cancer risk.
- To determine if previously reported protective effects of these phytoestrogens are observed in a Dutch postmenopausal population.
Main Methods:
- Urinary specimens from 14,697 postmenopausal women were analyzed for genistein and enterolactone.
- Levels were measured using time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay over two screening rounds.
- Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for tertiles of phytoestrogen excretion.
Main Results:
- Higher urinary genistein was weakly and nonsignificantly associated with reduced breast cancer risk (OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.46-1.51).
- Higher urinary enterolactone was weakly and nonsignificantly associated with increased breast cancer risk (OR=1.43, 95% CI: 0.79-2.59).
- No significant trends were observed for either phytoestrogen.
Conclusions:
- This study did not detect the protective effects of genistein and enterolactone on breast cancer risk in postmenopausal Dutch women.
- Potential effects may be smaller than anticipated or specific to certain population subgroups.
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