Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource Tip of the Month - February 2003

Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Soy and Breast Cancer: Questions Remain

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Does soy help prevent or promote breast cancer? Right now, it's impossible to say, according to the February issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.

Experts have had good reason to suspect that a diet high in soy may help protect against breast cancer. Studies show that the risk of breast cancer is six times higher for American women than for women who live in Asian countries where soy foods are commonly eaten.

Soy foods — soy milk, tofu and soy nuts — contain isoflavones, a weak form of estrogen that mimics naturally occurring estrogen. Genistein, a specific isoflavone, had been thought to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Isoflavones have become so popular that they are now available as diet supplements. But research on the effectiveness and safety of isoflavone supplements is contradictory. Some studies suggest that taking isoflavones may help prevent breast cancer. Other studies suggest that consuming genistein may carry some risk of actually promoting breast cancer.

Soy foods have been eaten safely for centuries and can help improve cholesterol levels and promote heart health. But for now, no one knows how beneficial or safe it is to use isoflavones as a diet supplement.

A Cappuccino Please, but Hold the Calories and Fat

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When you order your favorite coffee drink, you might be surprised at the calories, sugar and fat you are also ordering. Depending on the kind of milk and ingredients used, a large latte can contain from 250 to 570 calories.

You don't have to give up your favorite coffee drink, just watch what you add and adjust your consumption accordingly.

The February issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers these tips to take a healthy coffee break.

• Choose the smallest size cup, either eight or 12 ounces. This can save you 110 calories.
• Order your drink with fat-free milk instead of whole milk and you can save about 80 calories and eight grams of fat.
• Use sugar substitutes instead of sugar. If you drink five cups of coffee a day with two teaspoons of sugar in each, you've added an extra 150 calories.

Skip the whipped cream, flavored syrup or chocolate or candy toppings. They're tasty, but loaded with calories.

Self-Diagnosis Unreliable for Vaginal Problems

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — If you have vaginal itching and discharge, a common problem for women, don't be too quick to self-diagnose a yeast infection, recommends the February issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.

It may be wise to consult your health-care professional first, since there are several other conditions, some of them serious, with similar symptoms. Over-the-counter medications for yeast infections (antifungal creams and vaginal suppositories) generally work against yeast but don't work in treating other vaginal problems.

Other conditions with similar symptoms include:

• Bacterial vaginosis, which is caused by bacteria not yeast. It's best treated with antibiotics.
• Trichomoniasis, which is caused by a tiny single-celled parasite and can be transmitted through intercourse. Antibiotics are used for treatment.
• Chlamydia, a common and primarily sexually transmitted infection of the cervix. Chlamydia can result in serious medical complications such as infertility. Antibiotic treatment is needed.
• Noninfectious vaginitis, which may be an allergic reaction to vaginal sprays, douches or spermicidal products. Doctors recommend you avoid these products when irritation is present.

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