Risk of Death in Breast Cancer Survivors Increases With Daily Consumption of High Fat Dairy Products

Daily intake of high fat dairy products may increase the risk of death in breast cancer survivors, reports a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The study involved 1,893 women, who were survivors of breast cancer. The participants were surveyed about their daily food intake and their consumption of low and high fat dairy products. Researches recorded the health conditions of the participants for nearly 12 years.

An analysis of the data collected revealed that women who consumed one or more servings of high fat milk products like ice cream, cheese, butter, cream, whole milk, had 49% risk of dying due to breast cancer and 64% risk of death due to other health problems. It is well known that high fat consumption leads to cardiovascular and other systemic diseases.

While no significant risk was liked with consuming low fat dairy products.

According to the authors, the increase in cancer risk due to high fat milk products may be attributed to high levels of estrogen present in those food items. Estrogen hormone is known to the aggravate tumor cells in breast cancer.

The researchers encourage the breast cancer patients to shift to low fat dairy products in order to reduce exposure to estrogen.

Source-Medindia