Background: Interest in the physiological role of bioactive compounds present in plants hasrnincreased dramatically over the last decade. Of particular interest in relation to human health arernthe classes of compounds known as the phytoestrogens, which include several groups of non-rnsteroidal estrogens including isoflavones, lignans and coumestans that are widely distributedrnwithin the plant kingdom. Epidemiological studies suggest that diets rich in phytoestrogens,rnparticularly soy and unrefined grain products, may be associated with low risk of breast cancer.rnObjective: - This review presents the studies published so far by exploring a link betweenrndietary phytoestrogens and breast cancer.rnMethods: A Medline, PubMed and Google internet search was conducted using the keywordsrnbreast cancer, phytoestrogens, soybeans, isoflavones, estrogen, estrogen receptor, coumestrolernand lignans. Further articles were obtained by cross-matching references of relevant articles.rnResults: From the published data we may conclude that overall information about phytoestrogenrnconsumption and breast cancer risk is still scarce: From all prospective studies and the caserncontrol studies in Asian populations we get the impression that consumption at young agesrn(adolescence or earlier) and consumption of high amounts may protect both against pre- andrnpostmenopausal breast cancer.rnConclusion: There is no clear evidence that phytoestrogens intake influences the risk ofrndeveloping breast cancer.rnKeywords: -Breast cancer, phytoestrogens, soybeans, isoflavones, and lignan