Research Links Dairy Consumption to Cancer Risk

September 15, 2026 · ScienceDaily Beslenme

A comprehensive survey in the US revealed low awareness among men regarding the link between dairy products and prostate cancer risk, yet they are willing to change consumption preferences when informed.

Dairy and Cancer Awareness in Men

A comprehensive survey was conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), founded in 1985, involving 1,102 men across the US. According to the survey data released during September's Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, only 20% of participants reported being aware of scientific findings suggesting that the consumption of milk and dairy products could increase the risk of prostate cancer. The research also revealed that only 20% of men had received information from a healthcare professional about the relationship between diet and prostate cancer.

Noah Praamsma, a dietitian and nutrition education coordinator at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, commented on the issue:

'Physicians and other healthcare professionals need more education on the dangers of dairy products and the benefits of plant-based diets for prostate cancer.'

Consumer Trends and Labeling Demands

The survey indicated that consumers can exhibit significant changes in their food preferences when informed about health risks. After being explained the link between milk consumption and increased cancer risk, 66% of the surveyed men stated they might avoid consuming milk and dairy products. In line with these findings, consumer expectations regarding product packaging were also measured. 76% of the surveyed men expressed support for mandatory warning labels on dairy product packaging to directly inform consumers about potential risks.

Scientific Research Points to Dairy Consumption

Scientific evidence compiled by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine highlighted previous studies suggesting that the intensive consumption of dairy products such as milk and cheese may be associated with the development of prostate cancer. A large-scale meta-analysis, encompassing 32 separate scientific studies, presented findings indicating higher levels of prostate cancer risk in individuals who consume high amounts of dairy products. Although researchers did not fully prove whether this association constitutes a definitive biological causality, they emphasized that observational data showed a parallelism with a notable increase in risk.

Effects of Skim and Low-Fat Milk

The scientific studies examined revealed that dairy products exhibit different risk associations based on their fat content. One study found that individuals consuming at least one serving of skim or low-fat milk daily had a 19% higher risk of developing prostate cancer compared to those who rarely drank these products. In another study that monitored 3,612 men for 8 to 10 years, those consuming approximately 3 servings of low-fat dairy products per day were found to have more than double the likelihood of developing prostate cancer compared to those consuming less than one serving per day.

Milk Consumption and Prostate Cancer Mortality Rate

It was noted that dairy product consumption might be associated not only with cancer diagnosis but also with mortality rates due to the disease. A meta-analysis of 11 studies, including over 700,000 participants, examined the link between dairy product consumption and cancer mortality. Among the men in the studied cohorts, the group consuming the highest amount of whole-fat milk had up to a 50% higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to those consuming the least amount. Experts stated that the metabolic effects of milk fats and milk proteins need to be investigated through further research.

The Protective and Healing Power of Plant-Based Nutrition

Scientific data revealed the potential roles of plant-based dietary patterns in reducing cancer risk. According to Adventist Health Study-2 data, men following a vegan diet had a 35% lower risk of prostate cancer compared to those following other diets. In another study examining over 2,000 prostate cancer patients, those consuming the most plant-based foods had a 56% lower risk of disease progression and a 59% lower risk of recurrence.

Noah Praamsma, a dietitian and nutrition education coordinator at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, made the following statements regarding the issue:

'The good news is that most men surveyed knew that consuming fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes could help protect them against prostate cancer, and research shows that a 100% plant-based diet is the most beneficial.'

US Data and the Threat of Prostate Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society's 2024 annual report, prostate cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in the United States, and it ranks second in cancer-related deaths. Projections by the American Cancer Society estimate that in 2026, 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed across the US, and 36,320 people will die from this disease. These figures once again highlight the importance of dietary habits and agricultural food choices in public health strategies.

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