Tofu, soy milk, edamame
unfermented soy. Protein.
- Verdict
- Lowers riskStudies link it to lower cancer risk.
- How sure
- Rung 3 · ModerateConsistent observational studies or small trials, not yet confirmed by large trials.
The rung shows how sure the science is, not how big the effect is. How to read these ratings
Cancers affected
Prostate; breast; lung in never-smokers
What the evidence shows
Unfermented soy is linked to lower prostate cancer risk in a 30-study meta-analysis. The American Cancer Society says growing evidence suggests soy foods such as tofu, edamame and soy milk may lower breast cancer risk, especially among Asian women, and limited data suggest they may lower recurrence after breast cancer. Isoflavone-containing foods show limited evidence of lower lung cancer risk in people who have never smoked.
What to do
Swap some meat for soy foods. The American Cancer Society doesn't recommend soy supplements, which can hold far more isoflavones than food.
Sources
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer pages.