Phytoestrogens?

[u/Mercury2468]

For those of you with estrogen sensitive cancers, I was wondering what advice (if any) you were given about phytoestrogens and how you handle them. Do you actively avoid them (because cancer)? Do you eat more of them than before (to help with menopause symptoms)? Do you just eat the same as before and not worry about them at all?

For context, I was diagnosed with endometrioid adenocarcinoma grade 1 stage 1a after my hysterectomy in late May and had my ovaries removed 3 weeks ago. My tumor was sensitive to both estrogen and progesterone. Obviously no HRT for me, but I've been given contradicting advice about phytoestrogens by my doctors. Some say it's safe (low risk cancer, and phytoestrogens have a much weaker effect than estradiol) and a great natural way to alleviate menopause symptoms naturally, others say it's better to avoid them to be on the safe side.

Phytoestrogens are found in soy, chickpeas, lentils, some types of beans, flax, sesame, berries, wheat, rye, almonds and many other foods. I would honestly struggle to avoid them all and still have a healthy balanced diet, especially as a vegetarian. So far, I've been eating the same as always, but I feel really conflicted about this so I'm curious how others are handling this, and whether this is a concern for you at all or if I'm just overthinking things.

[u/sadsnoopymusic]

I had the same cancer as you but with my ovaries preserved. I’m in perimenopause at the moment (am 49) and it’s rough. I was never told about avoiding any phytoestrogens so I just eat what I always have. I am seeing a hormone specialist soon. Apparently some newer research says folks with this condition can do HRT but I’m obviously extremely cautious.

[u/RedolentDaisy]

My oncologist told me I would have to take in an enormous amount of phytoestrogens to have an impact on an estrogen responsive cancer. It would be nearly impossible.

[u/Glittering_Hurry236]

Same cancer as you they took ovaries at the surgery 15 months ago. It's been rocky -- I eat the same. I are edemame (soy), flax berries before surgery and do now. I've been sugar free for a decade + low to no carb and slender fit. Never heavy except immediately post partum.

We had no info on my tumor because it was removed during a polypectomy and 4 mm x 3 mm. After my hysterectomy there was NED so nothing to test. But my ONC said all endometrial cancer is estrogen and progesterone + so no HRT.

I did extremely poorly on birth control pills back when - and did a week of estrogen HRT (Divigel) at 50 a few years before my dx and I didn't even use the whole tiny packet and I was so dizzy and nauseous. I had to stop it after a week.

So. I'm not sure even if I could I would take HRT.

I took the lowest dose of creatine a few weeks ago, which was 1 mg, and by day 4 developed vertigo and nausea so badly I could barely leave my bed and I was drinking an absolute ton of water so I don't know how that happened. I took it because I read that women in menopause should take the creatine to help retain and build muscle and I'm a weight lifter and love lifting weights so I figured it would help but nope....

[u/Comfortable-Net8913]

I used to be on HRT but developed early stage hormone sensitive cancer. I have seen some suggest it’s ok to use progesterone and testosterone. I am intrigued. Do we know what the guidelines for use in women like us?

[u/sugarhai]

my doctor said those foods are fine and that even hrt is fine at stage 1a and that I can do hrt now but I decided to wait a few years to make sure I don't have a recurrence then maybe I'll try it if I feel like I need it

[u/ResentfulOreo → u/sugarhai]

hrt at stage 1a recommendations vary widely, and estrogen sensitivity matters much, much more than stage.

[u/no-user-names-]

My doctor and another health care professional said to avoid soy, which I do. (Oestrogen driven serous).

It’s a pain because I’m vegan. I don’t have tofu or tempeh because they are great big helpings of soy, BUT I do have some soy products (miso, shoyu), because the quantity of soy in them is pretty minimal, and for seasoning. I’ve just discovered Shio Koji which is a good umami flavouring and makes me less dependent on shoyu.

Although there’s still phytoestrogens in other pulses I understand they’re not as potent, and I’ve got a good lentil tofu recipe and I eat loads of seitan.

[u/ResentfulOreo]

Generally speaking, if you're aiming for an intake (in foods or in supplements) that is enough to relieve symptoms, it's too much for someone with an estrogen sensitive cancer. And it's really, really hard to eat that much in food.

[u/Sparkler888]

I understand the nervousness about Phytoestrogens. I have stage 1 endometrial cancer, and I have asked about soy and how it affects the body. My oncologist surgeon said Phytoestrogens do not affect the body as regular estrogen and should be safe to eat tofu and soy products. I am a vegetarian too, and I decided it is okay to eat soy products, but I try not to overdo it. I guess we have to decide for ourselves if it's ok since we seem to get contradictory advice from different doctors.