Dairy
Do dairy products increase the risk of breast cancer?
The relationship between dairy products and breast cancer is a complicated one. Although some evidence suggests that dairy fats may even decrease the risk of breast cancer, the data are still very unclear.
Dairy products are a major source of a specific polyunsaturated fat, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). In studies on rats, low doses of CLA suppressed the growth and spread of breast tumors. Does this advantage translate to human beings? Most studies that have measured the consumption of dairy products by young or middle-aged women find little effect of such consumption on the risk of breast cancer. However, a 25-year follow-up study in Finland reported a significantly lower risk of breast cancer among women who drank milk regularly. This result could be attributable to chance. Further studies need to be done -- the combined evidence does not suggest any increase in the risk of breast cancer from consumption of dairy products.
