Dairy products linked to rise in prostate cancer

Eating high levels of dairy products may increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Men who ate higher amounts of cheese, butter, milk and yoghurt were between 7% to 76% more likely to develop the disease, US researchers found.

Experts at the Mayo Clinic in Chicago reviewed 47 studies published since 2006 to better understand the risks of prostate cancer associated with plant and animal-based foods.

Two meta-analyses and seven cohort studies on dairy consumption found the men had an increased risk of between 7% and 76% of prostate cancer. But other studies found no link.

Researchers found a decreased risk of developing the disease in vegetarians and vegans.

John Shin, MD, a Mayo Clinic oncologist and lead author on the study, said:

“Our review highlighted a cause for concern with high consumption of dairy products.

“The findings also support a growing body of evidence on the potential benefits of plant-based diets.”

Dairy products are rich in calcium and the researchers

“Our review highlighted a causeforconcern”

suggest it may play a role in the link between higher consumption and risk.

But they caution that more research is needed to determine the nature of the associations found.

But Tom Sanders, professor emeritus of nutrition and dietetics, King’s College London, said: “The prevalence of prostate cancer has increased markedly in south-east and east Asia, where few dairy products are consumed.”