I was advised to avoid soy, but it seems to be in everything. Tips?

@aej1954, It was once thought that soy foods increase the risk of breast cancer. However, eating a moderate amount of soy foods does not increase risk of breast cancer — or other types of cancer. Read more in this short article from Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/soy-breast-cancer-risk/faq-20120377

It can be confusing because earlier studies suggested that eating soy was bad, especially for women with estrogen positive breast cancer. More recent research says that you don't have to completely avoid or eliminate soy, but that it should be eaten in moderation. You're so right that it is found in many things.

I found this article from Dana Farber Cancer Center to be really clear about explaining 3 categories of "soy products:
1. Soy foods like edamame, tofu and unsweetened soy milk.
2. Soy protein supplements like protein powder or nutritional bars made with soy protein isolate.
3. Soy condiments or by products such as soy sauce, soybean oil and soy lecithin."

I hope this makes reducing soy easier than trying to eliminate it completely. Have you made any other adjustments to eating and lifestyle since your diagnosis? How are you doing on treatment?

I start my radiation next week. This is all that was recommended since mine was so small and not in the lymph nodes. Thank you for clarifying the soy issue. I will be reading the labels for sure. Soy is in so many foods. The hardest thing is the side affects of the anestrozole. I wake up several times during the night and have bone pain and headaches, however it is getting a little better. But still a very big adjustment. I’m just thankful mine was caught early and only radiation is required. Thanks again for your helpful reply!

The advice to avoid soy is a little outdated. Just to elaborate on the above post, soy protein powder is concentrated and probably should be avoided. Soy condiments are fine but have sodium or trans fats. As for soy foods, they are fine and even of benefit. Also from Dana Farber:

Soy foods
Current research supports including soy foods in the diet of cancer survivors and does not suggest harmful effects, even for those experiencing estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. In fact, research in patients with breast cancer patients suggests possible benefit to overall survival with consuming moderate amounts of soy foods, or 1-2 servings per day. One serving of soy is equivalent to ½ cup of edamame, 1 cup of soy milk or ¼ cup of tofu. The bottom line is that soy foods like edamame, tofu and unsweetened soy milk can safely be included as an alternative protein or dairy source, even for those going through cancer treatment.

In other words, don't work too hard to reduce soy foods!

Thanks! Very helpful and makes total sense. Very helpful information.

@aej1954
I cannot address your soy issue because I make everything from scratch. However, regarding your anastrozole - there are 3 aromatase inhibitors you can try. I could barely walk taking the anastrozole due to all the bone pain - anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane. I next tried the letrozole which still wasn't the greatest and finally my oncologist started me on exemestane for which I've been on a few years and have very few side effects. Please talk with your oncologist. When one doesn't work, they can try another. You just won't know unless you try them. Wishing you the best.

I was planning to ask my encologist to change mine and suddenly started feeling a little better so I decided to give it a while longer. Mine is the waking up continuously and stiffness. As bad as it is I’m afraid to not take it. Thank you for your reply and so glad you found one that works for you.

What helped me was exercise. The first 20 minutes was painful. However, if I kept going, by 45 minutes I felt better and side effects were much improved each day I did that. My oncologist said she heard this from many patients. If you take a walk and it hurts, don't be discouraged, keep going!

That is true. I walk a lot. The only trouble I have is getting up, but when I get going I am fine! Exercise really is medicine!

I have taken Tylenol Arthritis for my pre-anastrozole issues with pain, and this seems to have done a nice job of covering pain. I had other side effects, which caused me to have to stop taking the anastrozole, but bone pain was alleviated by Tylenol Arthritis. Please be advised that this is different than regular Tylenol or Tylenol Extra Strength. Tylenol Arthritis, taken as directed on the bottle, 2 tablets, three times a day (I.e. every eight hours) is safe as per my doctor's advice.

Thank you so much. I will definitely try the Tylenol Arthritis. Excedrin, Advil and those type pain relievers hurt my stomach. So I usually stick with Tylenol.