- Consuming large amounts of milk may increase the risk
of developing ovarian cancer, research suggests.
-
- A study of more than 60,000 women found drinking more
than two glasses of milk a day significantly upped the risk of the most
serious form of the disease.
-
- Dairy products have previously been linked to cancers,
including those of the breast and prostate.
-
- The research, by Sweden's Karolinska Institute, is published
in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
-
- The researchers followed 61,084 women aged 38 to 76 for
around 13 years.
-
- During this time a total of 266 women were diagnosed
with ovarian cancer, of whom 125 had serous ovarian cancer.
-
- The researchers found women who consumed more than four
servings of dairy products a day had twice the risk of serous ovarian cancer
than women who had fewer than two.
-
- They found that milk had the strongest link with ovarian
cancer - those women who drank two or more glasses a day were at double
the risk of those who did not consume it at all, or only in small amounts.
-
- The reason why milk may increase the risk of ovarian
cancer is unclear, but one theory is that lactose, a type of sugar found
in milk, may overstimulate production of hormones which encourage tumour
growth.
-
- Diet element unclear
-
- Dr Kate Law, of Cancer Research UK, said it was not yet
clear how nutrients, or the amount and distribution of body fat affected
the risk of developing cancer.
-
- She said: "Previous research has also suggested
that a diet rich in whole milk, yogurt and cheese may put women at higher
risk of ovarian cancer.
-
- "But the picture is far from clear, as other evidence
suggests that women who drink skimmed or low-fat milk might have a lower
risk of ovarian cancer."
-
- Dr Law a major study, involving 500,000 people, was currently
underway to try to assess the impact on diet on cancer.
-
- "Until more is known about the specific components
of diet that influence cancer risk, the best advice is to emphasize a balanced
diet which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables."
-
- Around 6,700 women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian
cancer each year.
-
- © BBC MMIV
-
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4051331.stm
|
