Soybeans, widely grown and eaten around the world, are commonly used to make essentials like tofu, soy sauce, and soy milk. As good a reputation that they already have, new research findings suggest that the humble soybean can do more than just sate appetites - it can also help treat cancer.

Soybeans, more specifically soy isoflavones, which is a natural, nontoxic component of soybeans, was found to be effective in the fight against prostate tumors, and now, even lung cancer tumors, according to Golda Hillman, PhD, professor of radiation oncology at Wayne State University's School of Medicine and the Barbara Ann Karamanos Cancer Institute.

Hillman has previously discovered that soy isoflavones increases the ability of radiation to kill cancer cells in prostate tumors by effectively blocking only the cancer cell's DNA repair mechanism and molecular survival pathways. In addition, the compound reduces the damage caused by radiation to the surrounding cells of normal, non cancerous tissue.

Back in 2010, Hillman found that thanks to the soy compound, patients experienced fewer problems with incontinence and diarrhea, and better sexual organ function. Not only that, but patients also reported having reduced radiation toxicity to surrounding organs - researchers credit this to the compound as it can also act as antioxidants, protecting tissues from radiation-induced toxicity.

And now, after receiving a $347,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute, Hillman is investigating whether the compounds against prostate cancer tumors can also be used against lung cancer tumors as well, but already her findings as of now are "substantial" and "very promising."

Her preliminary studies have shown that soy can cause radioprotection, however, what she aims to show in her current study is what is actually happening in the lung tissue. Currently, Hillman is still running tests on the effects of isoflavones.

With the potential that the compound can bring in the fight against cancer, she emphasizes that soy supplements alone are not a substitute for conventional cancer treatment, and that doses of soy isoflavones must be medically administered in combination with conventional cancer treatments to have the desired effects.

Benefits of Soy

Nutritionists and scientists both agree that soy is good for the body: containing about 36% protein, 18% fat, 30% carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and of course, isoflavones, reported Isoflavones.info.

Besides all of that, soy can prevent chronic diseases, can promote better bone stability, and lower the risk of developing of osteoporosis.

When the benefits of the soy's compound are included, people can expect to reduce their heart disease risk; ease menopause symptoms for women; protect against prostate problems; and can provide the body with antioxidants.