The effect of high-fat dairy intake on prostate cancer

The authors aimed to determine whether a high dairy intake could increase the risk of prostate cancer progression.

The authors concluded that there was a positive connection between high-fat milk intake and prostate cancer progression in men with localized (confined to the prostate gland) prostate cancer.

High dairy intake has been associated with more aggressive or advanced (cancer that has spread outside the prostate gland into surrounding organs) prostate cancer. High-fat dairy has a higher saturated fat content in comparison to low-fat dairy products and has been associated with an increased risk of cancer death.

Further studies are needed to determine the association between high-fat dairy products and prostate cancer progression.

The aim of this study was to determine the link between high-fat dairy products and the risk of prostate cancer progression.

525 patients were included in this study with a follow-up time of 20 years. 222 patients died from prostate cancer. 44% had localized cancer.

Patients who consumed more dairy were more likely to have localized cancer at diagnosis. Total dairy intake for all patients was not significantly associated with increased prostate cancer mortality or overall mortality. Butter (3 or more servings compared to 1 or less) was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer mortality, but this was not statistically significant.

In patients with localized cancer, three or more servings of high-fat milk per day was associated with 6.1 times the risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality compared to less than one serving. In patients who drank more than 1 serving of milk per day, men who drank high-fat rather than low-fat milk had an increased risk of prostate cancer-specific and overall mortality.

In advanced prostate cancer cases, high-fat milk intake was not associated with prostate cancer death. Total dairy and low-fat milk intake were associated with an increased overall mortality.

The authors concluded that there was a positive connection between high-fat milk intake and prostate cancer progression in men with localized prostate cancer.

Discuss dietary options with your physician.