Consumption of Milk Increases the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician.

Milk is the world's most controversial food. The health benefits and risks of consuming milk have been argued for decades. In June 2022, scientists from Loma Linda University published the results of an 8-year clinical trial on the link between milk intake and an increased risk of prostate cancer in men.

What is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate (the prostate gland) is located within the lesser pelvis near the bladder, wrapped around the urethra. It is normally about the size of a walnut. The prostate secretes fluid that forms an integral part of sperm, maintaining sperm motility and viability, as well as participating in the ejaculatory process.

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer characterized by the malignant growth of cells in the prostate gland. All the cells in the human body go through the cycle of birth, functioning, and death. Malignant tumors have cells that fail to undergo a programmed cycle. They mutate and ignore signals to die, invading surrounding tissues and organs. Besides, cancer cells can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed type of cancer after lung cancer among men worldwide.

Clinical Research Overview

The aim of the study was to establish an association between milk consumption and a higher risk of developing prostate cancer in 28,000 North American men. All participants tested negative for cancer at baseline. Researchers monitored the health status of patients for eight years.

Assessment of the study results also included participants' dietary patterns, family history of prostate cancer, physical activity, body mass index, unhealthy eating habits, and a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).

By the end of the study, 1,254 new cases of cancer were diagnosed. The observation showed that the chances of getting prostate cancer go up in men who regularly drink more than a cup of milk per day. Conversely, participants who consumed fewer or no servings of milk had a 25% reduced risk of developing prostate cancer.
It should also be mentioned that high calcium intake from dairy products is not the cause of tumor development. There is a high probability that sex hormones are responsible for the condition since 75% of lactating dairy cows are pregnant.

Dr. Gary Fraser, head of research, encouraged men with a family history of prostate cancer or those with other risk factors (endocrine disorders, being overweight) to be careful about drinking even small amounts of milk until research findings become available.

Men without risk factors for prostate cancer should have annual prostate exams starting from 45-50 years.

More information on the details of the study is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.