Menopausal women who are receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are at a higher risk of breast cancer. This is a known fact and can scare many women away from receiving hormones replacement therapy; however the benefits of receiving hormones replacement therapy for many women can far outweigh the risks. For these women severe imbalanced hormones levels can make life extremely challenging and
Menopausal women who are using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. This is a known fact and can scare many women; however, for some women, the benefits of HRT can outweigh the risks. For these women, severely imbalanced hormone levels can make life extremely challenging and HRT can be effective in correcting this.
However, studies have shown resources women can turn to in order to reduce the side effects. For example, a group of scientists recently figured out that dairy foods can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
A Study on the Effects of Dairy
A study conducted by Marjorie McCullough, ScD, RD, and colleagues, investigated the effects that a diet rich in dairy foods can have on the risk of breast cancer. For their study, the investigators surveyed 68,000 women in the U.S., none of whom had breast cancer when the study began.
The researchers asked about the different dairy products that all of the women consumed. There were 68 dairy products that they inquired about, including milk, cheese, ice cream, frozen yogurt, and yogurt.They asked if the women took any types of calcium supplements, but they did not measure all the foods that contained calcium, only dairy products. Nevertheless, the study assumed that most women acquire the majority of their calcium from dairy products.
Are There Any Links between Dairy and Hormones?
The women were surveyed over a nine-year period, by which time 2,855 women had developed breast cancer. The investigation found that women who consumed 20% more dairy products were less likely to have breast cancer than the other women. The study also found the following:
- There was no link between a lowered risk of breast cancer and women who took calcium supplements.
- There was also no link between a lowered risk of breast cancer and vitamin D, of which high doses are often found in many dairy products.
- Low fat dairy products helped to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
However, the women who did not contract breast cancer were also generally healthier; they tended to smoke less, eat healthier, and exercise more regularly.
In conclusion, the results of this study suggest there may be a slightly lower risk of developing breast cancer for women following a high-calcium diet.
However, the best way to ensure a lowered risk of breast cancer is by living a healthy lifestyle, including eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking, and drinking too much alcohol. Also, trying to treat hormonal imbalances naturally, instead of using HRT, will lower the risk of developing breast cancer.
