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Finally, Good News for Coffee Drinkers!

Findings from this case-control study suggest that phytoestrogen intake protects against lung cancer.

In a recent case-control analysis, self-reported use of estrogen therapy was shown to protect against lung cancer in women (Clin Cancer Res 2004; 10:113). Now, the same research group has examined the effects of dietary plant estrogens — phytoestrogens — on lung cancer risk. In an ongoing study in Texas, 1674 patients (mean age, 62; 46% female) with lung cancer were matched for age, ethnicity, smoking status, and sex to 1735 healthy controls. Data were gathered on demographics, hormone therapy use, and food intake in the year before diagnosis or study entry; participants’ intake of 12 phytoestrogens was then calculated.

Reductions in lung cancer risk tended to increase as phytoestrogen intake increased. The highest quartile of total food-source phytoestrogen intake was associated with a significant 46% reduction in risk, compared with the lowest quartile. Significant risk reductions were also noted for the highest intake of total isoflavones (32% reduction), total lignans (28%), total phytoestrogens from any source (24%), and total phytosterols (21%). In women, high intake of the lignans enterolactone and enterodiol reduced risk significantly by 41%; high intake of these lignans plus HT use reduced risk by 50%. Protective effects were observed in both current and never smokers; risk reductions generally were attenuated among former smokers.

Comment: Like estrogen therapy, phytoestrogen intake appears to protect against the development of lung cancer. Women should be encouraged to increase their intake of the lignans enterolactone (carrots, lettuce, broccoli) and enterodiol (lettuce, flaxseed, onions). Both women and men might benefit from intake of total phytosterols (black-eyed peas, black and green teas, lettuce), isoflavones (soybeans, chick peas, coffee) and lignans (carrots, black and green teas, coffee).

— Sandra Ann Carson, MD

Published in Journal Watch Women's Health December 6, 2005

Citation(s):

Schabath MB et al. Dietary phytoestrogens and lung cancer risk. JAMA 2005 Sep 28; 294:1493-504.

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