phytoestrogens and Breast-Neoplasms--Male

With the advent of screening and the increased incidence of breast cancer, concern for the prevention of breast cancer has become forefront in today's society. Determining individual risk is the key to prescribing prevention. Prevention of breast cancer is still under clinical investigation with only one drug, tamoxifen, showing benefit in high risk patients. This paper reviews the possible sites for prevention of neoplastic transformation via biomarkers in a breast cell as well as the investigational drugs and their potential use in the chemoprevention of breast cancer.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Apoptosis; Biological Products; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms, Male; Carotenoids; Cathepsin D; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Cell Cycle; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; Female; Fenretinide; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Hormone Antagonists; Humans; Isoflavones; Male; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Mastectomy; Mice; Middle Aged; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Ovariectomy; Phytoestrogens; Plant Preparations; Raloxifene Hydrochloride; Rats; Retinoids; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Selenium; Tamoxifen; Terpenes

Topics: Breast Neoplasms, Male; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Carcinoma, Papillary; Humans; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Phytoestrogens; Prognosis; Prostatic Neoplasms

Patients seeking alternatives to hormone replacement are increasingly using non-prescription phytoestrogen supplements. The potential of these herbal remedies to prevent bone loss, heart disease, menopausal symptoms or breast cancer has been a focus of attention in scientific and lay literature. It is important to understand the effects of phytoestrogens, particularly whether excess exposure can promote hyperplasia or neoplasia of breast tissue. We report the case of a man diagnosed with breast cancer whose history was notable for extensive use of supplemental phytoestrogens and the absence of family history of breast cancer or BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation. In conclusion, breast tissue effects of phytoestrogens remain unclear. The increasing popularity and availability of phytoestrogen dietary supplements necessitates additional research in order to counsel patients regarding their safety and efficacy.

Topics: Breast Neoplasms, Male; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Male; Medical History Taking; Middle Aged; Phytoestrogens