| The data from a long-term study has indicated a | | | | was no evidence that dairy products increased |
| possible link between the consumption of dairy | | | | the risk of prostate cancer. This held true across |
| products, including whole and skim milk, cheese | | | | all racial and ethnic groups. |
| and ice-cream, to an increased risk of prostate | | | | In an overall analysis of food groups, the |
| cancer. Prostat cancer is a major causes of | | | | consumption of dairy products and milk were not |
| mortality among men around the world. | | | | associated with prostate cancer risk, the |
| It is not clear from these studies whether | | | | research found. Further analysis, however, |
| increase in the risk of prostate cancer associated | | | | suggested that low-fat or nonfat milk did increase |
| with higher intake of dairy products. | | | | the risk of localized tumors or non-aggressive |
| | | | | tumors, while whole milk decreased this risk. |
| Data from several prospective studies have | | | | In a similar first study, Dr. Yikyung Park, from the |
| supported an association, but many other studies | | | | National Cancer Institute at National Institutes |
| have failed to establish a link. | | | | (NIH) of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, and |
| To explore this topic further, Scientists, led by Dr. | | | | colleagues investigated the relationship of dairy |
| Song-Yi Park, from the Cancer Epidemiology | | | | products and prostate cancer in 293,888 men |
| Program, Cancer Research Center of Hawaii at | | | | enrolled in the NIH-American Association of |
| the Honolulu-based University of Hawaii, examined | | | | Retired Persons Diet and Health Study, conducted |
| data from subjects enrolled in the Multiethnic | | | | between 1995 and 2001. The average follow-up |
| Cohort Study. This study, conducted between | | | | period was 6 years. |
| 1993 and 2002, included adults between 45 and | | | | The studies found that 12 percent DECREASE in |
| 75 years old, were primarily from five different | | | | the risk of developing prostate cancer for those |
| ethnic or racial groups,and lived in California or | | | | who drank whole milk. Conversely, there was a |
| Hawaii. | | | | 16 percent INCREASE in the risk of developing |
| A total of 82,483 men from the study completed | | | | prostate cancer for those who drank 2% skim |
| a quantitative food frequency questionnaire and | | | | milk. |
| various factors, such as weight, smoking status, | | | | Skim milk was linked with advanced prostate |
| and education levels were also noted, Park’s | | | | cancer. Calcium from non-dairy food, by contrast, |
| group said. | | | | was tied to a reduced risk of non-advanced |
| During an average follow-up period of 8 years, | | | | prostate cancer. |
| 4,404 men developed prostate cancer. There | | | | |