The Udderly Confusing Dairy and Prostate Cancer Debate

For decades, milk was promoted as something we needed for strong bones and a healthy diet. But despite the big marketing push, dairy isn't nutritionally necessary. You can get calcium, protein, vitamin D and other nutrients from plenty of other foods, and a healthy diet can include dairy, a little dairy or no dairy at all.

For years, researchers have been trying to understand the connection between dairy and prostate cancer and the answer hasn't exactly been black and white. Some studies have linked higher dairy consumption to an increased risk, while others have found little connection or even suggested certain dairy products may have protective benefits.

Now, newer research is adding another piece to the puzzle. Research examining dairy consumption and prostate cancer found that men with higher dairy intake had an almost 25% higher risk of developing prostate cancer compared with men with lower intake. Before you put down the milk carton, there's an important distinction: an association isn't the same thing as cause and effect. The research does not prove that dairy causes prostate cancer, and more research is needed to understand the connection.

So, how much dairy is too much? There isn't currently a specific number of glasses of milk per day that doctors consider “too much” specifically for prostate cancer risk. Studies generally compare people with higher dairy intake with those consuming less. And dairy means more than milk, it includes cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and other dairy products.

The bigger takeaway is to consider your overall dairy intake and overall eating pattern.

So, what does this mean? Dairy provides protein, calcium, and other important nutrients, which is one reason this conversation isn't simply “dairy is good” or “dairy is bad.” Researchers are also exploring potential connections involving hormones, growth factors, calcium and vitamin D. And for some people, dairy can cause digestive symptoms or other discomfort, making moderation or alternatives worth considering.

This research doesn't mean you need to clean out the refrigerator or say goodbye to cheese forever. But if you consume large amounts of dairy every day, it may be worth taking a closer look at your overall diet and adding more variety with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and plant-based protein sources.

The dairy-and-prostate-cancer conversation is still evolving. If you're concerned about prostate cancer, talk with your healthcare provider about your individual risk and what steps make sense for you.