Rosemont, Ill., March 16, 2005 – A new meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention finds no association between dairy foods and ovarian cancer.
Studies to date looking at food and its potential effect on ovarian cancer risk have been inconsistent. In this meta-analysis, researchers reviewed 22 studies published between January 1966 and August 2003 to assess the body of science on the topic. They found no evidence that dairy foods, milk or specific sugars in milk have an impact on ovarian cancer risk in humans. The authors state that their findings are consistent with those from seven other recent epidemiological studies.
In addition, a recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention compared the diets of 442 women with ovarian cancer to the diets of 2,135 women in the general population. These results also showed no association between ovarian cancer risk and intake of dairy products.
“The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise women to get three servings of dairy a day for good health,” said Eva Schmelz, Ph.D., Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University. “Many studies point to the importance of dairy in the diet. In addition, preliminary research suggests that several components of dairy foods may have anti-cancer properties, including calcium, vitamin D, sphingolipids, and a type of fatty acid known as CLA (conjugated linoleic acid).”
Visit nationaldairycouncil.org for more information on the health benefits of dairy foods. For nutrition tips and great-tasting dairy recipe ideas, visit 3aday.org.
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The National Dairy Council® was founded in 1915 and conducts nutrition education and nutrition research programs through national, state and regional Dairy Council organizations, on behalf of America’s dairy farmers.
Sources:
L-Q Qin, et al. Milk/dairy products consumption, galactose metabolism and ovarian cancer: meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. European Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2005, 14:13-19.
Pan Sy, et al. A case-control study of diet and the risk of ovarian cancer. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. 2004; 13(9): 1521-1527.