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Stockholm (pte031/30.11.2004/12:15) - Consuming large amounts of milk could increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer. A study carried out by the Karolinska Institute http://info.ki.se in Sweden of more than 60,000 women has found that those that drink more than two glasses a day have a significantly higher risk of getting the most serious form of the disease. Dairy products have previously been linked to cancers, including those of the breast and prostate.
Researchers followed 61,084 women between the ages of 38 and 76 for a period of 13 years. During this time, 266 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and 125 of those had a serious form of the disease. Women who consumed more than four portions of dairy products a day had twice the risk of serious ovarian cancer than those who had less than two. The reason why milk may increase the risk of ovarian cancer is still unclear. One theory is that lactose, a type of sugar founding milk, may over-stimulate production of hormones which encourage tumour growth.
According to Kate Law of Cancer Research UK, it was still a mystery to experts how nutrients, or the amount and distribution of body fat, affected the risk of developing cancer. Other studies have suggested that women who drink skimmed milk or low-fat milk might have a lower risk of ovarian cancer. "Until more is known about the specific components of diet that influence cancer risk, the best advice is to emphasise a balanced diet which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables," Law added.
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