Most US men may be unaware of a possible link between dairy consumption and prostate cancer, according to a new survey released during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Only 20% of the men surveyed knew that consuming milk and other dairy products may increase the risk of prostate cancer. After being informed about the potential risk, 66% said they would be likely to avoid dairy products.
The survey, conducted by Morning Consult for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, included 1,102 US men. It also found that only 20% had received information from a healthcare professional about the relationship between diet and prostate cancer risk.
“Physicians and other healthcare professionals need more education on the dangers of dairy products and the benefits of a plant-based diet for prostate cancer,” said Noah Praamsma, a dietitian and nutrition education coordinator with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Studies link dairy consumption to prostate cancer risk
Previous studies have found an association between higher consumption of dairy products, including milk and cheese, and a greater risk of prostate cancer. A review of 32 studies found evidence of increased risk among people who consumed larger amounts of dairy products.
One study found that people who drank at least one serving of skim or low-fat milk daily had a 19% higher risk of prostate cancer than those who rarely drank it.
Another study followed 3,612 men for eight to 10 years. It found that men who consumed the most low-fat dairy products — about three servings a day — were more than twice as likely to develop prostate cancer.
The survey also found strong support for clearer food labeling. About 76% of respondents said they favored warning labels on dairy products informing consumers about the potential prostate cancer risk.
Plant-based diets may offer protection
Praamsma said most men surveyed already understood that fruits, vegetables, grains and beans may help protect against prostate cancer.
He said research suggests that a fully plant-based diet may provide the greatest benefits.
The Adventist Health Study-2 found that men following a vegan diet had a 35% lower risk of prostate cancer compared with men following nonvegetarian or other vegetarian diets.
Plant-based diets may also benefit men who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer. A study of more than 2,000 men with the disease found that those who ate the most plant-based foods had a 56% lower risk of the cancer progressing and a 59% lower risk of recurrence than those who consumed the fewest plant foods.
Prostate cancer remains a major health concern
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among men, according to the American Cancer Society's 2024 annual report.
The society estimates that 333,830 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2026, while 36,320 people are expected to die from the disease.
Source: Science Daily