Dairy Products Increase Risk of Prostate Cancer

Dairy products can increase the risk of prostate cancer, according to a new study published in the Journal of Nutrition. Researchers tracked data from 21,660 participants in the Physicians Heath Study for 28 years. Those who consumed more than 2.5 servings of dairy products per day were at a 12 percent increased risk of prostate cancer, compared with those who consumed less than half a serving (one serving equals an 8-ounce glass of milk or 2 ounces of cheese). For skim milk, men were at increased risk for early stage prostate cancer. For whole milk, men drinking more than 1 glass per day had double the risk for fatal prostate cancer, compared with men drinking less. The authors concluded that this study further adds to the connection between dairy intake and prostate cancer.

Previous studies have shown similar relationships between dairy products and prostate cancer.

Song Y, Chavarro JE, Cao Y, et al. Whole milk intake is associated with prostate cancer-specific mortality among U.S. male physicians. J Nutr. 2013;143(2):189-196.

Chan JM, Stampfer MJ, Ma J, Gann PH, Gaziano JM, Giovannucci E. Dairy products, calcium, and prostate cancer risk in the Physicians’ Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;74(4):549-554.

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