High-fat dairy products could reduce your chance of breast cancer survival after diagnosis, according to new research.
Health on Female First
Patients who consume high-fat dairy products following breast cancer diagnosis increase their chances of dying from the disease years later, according to a study by Kaiser Permanente researchers.
The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, is the first to examine the relationship between high-fat and low-fat dairy consumption following a diagnosis of breast cancer and long-term breast cancer survival.
Those consuming larger amounts of high-fat dairy (one serving or more per day) had "higher breast cancer mortality as well as higher all-cause mortality and higher non-breast cancer mortality," wrote lead author Candyce H. Kroenke, ScD, MPH, staff scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, and co-authors.
"Specifically, women consuming one or more servings per day of high-fat dairy had a 64% higher risk of dying from any cause and a 49% increased risk of dying from their breast cancer during the follow-up period," said Kroenke.
The category of high-fat dairy products researchers tracked included cream, whole milk, condensed or evaporated milk, pudding, ice cream, custard, flan, and also cheeses and yogurts that were not low-fat or non-fat.
Sally Greenbrook, Senior Policy Officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, says: “This study specifically looks at women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer and how low or high fat dairy products may affect them. Any women who have had breast cancer and are concerned about their diet should discuss this with their doctors.
“For a number of health reasons it’s advisable that all women should follow a healthy balanced diet. It helps you to maintain a healthy weight which, together with good practices such as lower alcohol intake and regular physical activity, can help to reduce your breast cancer risk and improve overall well-being. There are many risk factors for breast cancer, not just diet, which is why long-term studies like The Breakthrough Generations Study are important to pin-point the exact causes of breast cancer.”
"High-fat dairy is generally not recommended as part of a healthy diet," said senior author Bette J. Caan, DrPH, research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. "Switching to low-fat dairy is an easy thing to modify."
Tagged in Breast Cancer Women's Health