Phytoestrogens and prevention of breast cancer: The contentious debate

Figure 1 Multiple targets for the action of phytoestrogens.

Figure 2 Different ways in which phytoestrogens may alter gene transcription. (1) Acting as an oestrogen agonist/antagonist and the transcriptional activity of oestrogen receptors; (2) Modulating cell signalling pathways which can be activated by cell surface oestrogen receptors or growth factor receptors and ultimately activate gene transcription by activating oestrogen receptors or other transcription factors (TF); (3) Inhibiting/stimulating transcription of genes regulating apoptosis and the cell cycle; and (4) Epigenetic alterations in DNA, histone proteins and RNA to alter transcription/translation of proteins.