I am so, so confused. I’ve just read an article about a study involving 5000 women who had had BC. It was very positive about the benefits of eating and drinking soy. HOWEVER I have previously read otherwise! Basically it seems there is a real difference of opinions on the impact of the isoflavonsin Soy and estrogen positive breast cancer (which mine was). My question is - does having (or having had) estregen positive BC mean you should avoid Soy?? I take Letrazole daily (and suffer with the nasty aches and pains, which I know many do) is that relevant in relation to Soy.
Finally, it may sound silly to ask but is Soy the same as Soya?
I’m vegetarian and for last couple of years I’ve avoided anything with Soya in it. Now I dont know if I can, shouldn’t OR should eat Soy/Soya. Is it better for me to eat/drink, or not? Can anyone advise if they know for sure whether Soy / Soya is safe to eat or drink when you have had/been diagnosed as estrogen positive.? Thank you.
Dear Bluebell, I’m also confused about this issue. Can I have soy/soya based products following an oestrogen positive breast cancer and a 5 year course of letrozole.
I had been a vegetarian for 7 years prior to my diagnosis and due to conflicting information, I reluctantly returned to eating meat. It would be great to get some clarification on what’s safe and advisable or not 
Hi Angie. So glad its not just me who is confused. I’ve been veggie for about 34yrs and I could not go back to meat eating. If anyone has answers about the Soy/Soya debate - whether should avoid it when eating/drinking, if you have had diagnosis of estrogen breast cancer. Myself and Angie I know will appreciate your help in knowing.
Hi Angie and Bluebell. There is a BCN speakers live session on Diet Myth Busting by Jo Cunningham I am fairly certain she covers Soy/Soya in the session.
Oooh. Thank you for that. I’m not sure if I can (or how) to access the online session …Busting the diet myths with Jo Cunningham on Thursday 9th October 2025 at 6pm.
But I have just emailed BC Now and asked if they can help. If I get a link I will post it on this forum topic. Just wish I could get a definite answer about Soy/Soya and any links relating to Letrazole and Estregen BC.
It is very confusing and really worrying when you are trying to do all the right things. My breast cancer was also hormone positive so avoiding anything that can affect that is high on my list. From the research I did I believe the confusion comes because soy contains something called phytoestrogens which are plant compounds that can mimic estrogen. But the type of estrogen activity in soy is not the same as human estrogen (thank you google ai haha).
There seems to be far more evidence nowdays that soy can actually help reduce the risk of breast cancer. And soy/soya apparently are the same thing which is good to know 
If you ever see edamame beans, these are soybeans and have loads of great health benefits