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Research: MITROU and co-authors,
Listed in Issue 145
Abstract
MITROU and co-authors, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA, mitroup@mail.nih.gov, have investigated the links between calcium, dairy products, and the risk of prostate cancer.
Background
High dietary intakes of calcium and dairy products have been thought to enhance prostate cancer risk, but available prospective data regarding these associations are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to clarify this question.
Methodology
Dietary intakes of calcium and dairy products were examined in relation to risk of prostate cancer in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene (ATBC) Cancer Prevention Study, a cohort of 29,133 male smokers aged 50-69 years at study entry. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline using a validated 276-item food use questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to adjust for known or suspected risk factors for prostate cancer.
Results
During 17 years of follow-up, 1,267 incident cases of prostate cancer were ascertained. High versus low intake of dietary calcium was associated with a marked increase in prostate cancer risk. The relative risk of prostate cancer for at least 2,000 mg/day compared to less than 1,000 mg/day of calcium intake was 1.63 (p trend < 0.0001). Total dairy intake was also positively associated with risk of prostate cancer. The relative risk of prostate cancer comparing extreme quintiles of intake was 1.26 (p trend = 0.03). However, no association with total dairy intake remained after adjustment for calcium (p trend = 0.17). Findings were similar by stage and grade of prostate cancer.
Conclusion
The results from this large prospective study suggest that intake of calcium or some related component contained in dairy foods is associated with increased prostate cancer risk.
References
Mitrou PN, Albanes D, Weinstein SJ, Pietinen P, Taylor PR, Virtamo J, Leitzmann MF. A prospective study of dietary calcium, dairy products and prostate cancer risk (Finland). International Journal of Cancer 120 (11): 2466-2473, Jun 1, 2007.
Comment
Professor Jane Plant has written several books regarding the association of dairy products with breast and prostate cancer which have publicized this topic. This rigorous research analysis demonstrates that calcium or related component in dairy foods is associated with increased prostate cancer risk. This is an important step to elucidating this important matter.
