Can Dairy Foods Prevent Breast Cancer?

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 hormones replacement therapy can correct this. Furthermore there are studies that have shown there are other resources women can turn to in order to reduce their risk of breast cancer. For example a group of scientists recently hypothesized that dairy foods can reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Consuming Dairy: Hormones Affected and Breast Cancer Avoided?

A study conducted by Marjorie McCullough, ScD, RD, and colleagues investigated the affect a diet rich in dairy foods can have on breast cancer risks. For their study the investigators used 68 000 women in the USA, most of who were white and members of the middle class, and none of them 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 enquired about including:

Most of the products were low in fat and the investigators also noted down if the women took any types of calcium supplements. Even so they did not list all foods that contain calcium, it was only dairy products. Nevertheless the study took for granted that most women acquire the majority of their calcium from dairy products.

Are there Links between Dairy and Hormones?

The women were in the study until 2001, when 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. Even so there was no link between a lowered risk of breast cancer and women who took calcium supplements.

Furthermore there was also no link explored between lowered risks of breast cancer and vitamin D, of which high doses are often found in many dairy products. The investigation did not take any blood samples from the participants.

Additionally the study found that it was low fat dairy products that help to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Nevertheless the women who did not contract breast cancer were also generally healthier (they tended to smoke less, eat healthier, and exercise more regularly). Consequently for many women they should seriously consider the benefits of receiving hormones replacement therapy for extreme hormones imbalance symptoms. There are other things that can be done to deal with the risk factors.

Nevertheless women should be aware that the increased risk of eating too much dairy can out weigh the benefits of breast cancer prevention. Thus it is ultimately recommended that women consume the recommended daily allowance of dairy products rather than anything more. Click here for more information about dairy, hormones, and treating adverse menopause symptoms.