Abstract

PHYTOESTROGENS: INVOLVEMENT IN BREAST CANCER HORMONE DEPENDENT

Giovana Landgraf Hering, Armindo Antônio Alves , Ana Laura Remédio Zeni Beretta*

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer represents one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and in Brazil appears as a malign neoplasies more common among women, as well as the leading cause of cancer death. The literature suggests that dietary factors may contribute to breast carcinogenesis, since the progression and control of this disease may be related to eating habits, consumption fats, meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, fiber and phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are phenols which have estrogenic action through links to estrogen receptors because of their similarity in chemical structure, thus exerting, agonists or antagonists actions may trigger consequent biological actions on the human body and have antioxidant action, preventing the carcinogenic initiation, and limiting the potentially damaging effects of human estrogen. Epidemiological studies show a significant difference in the incidence of some hormone-dependent diseases between different countries, but also reveal a strong association between the incidence of these diseases and food. The study aimed, through literature review, assess the biological importance of phytoestrogens in various stages of women's lives, pre-menopausal or post-menopausal, discussing the biological relationship of those with breast cancer hormone-dependent. After the survey of literary research, that women can benefit from a relief of climacteric symptoms, and reduction of cancer hormone dependent, such as breast, uterus, through dietary changes and lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, drinking, know how to deal better with stressfulsituations and increase physical activity. However there is no prospective, yet, to justify the ability of phytoestrogens to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Keywords: Phytoestrogens, breast cancer, biological action.