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Many US men remain unaware of a potential link between dairy consumption and prostate cancer, with only 20 per cent saying they knew that milk and other dairy products may increase the disease risk, a new survey has found.
The survey, conducted by Morning Consult for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), questioned 1,102 US men. Only 20 per cent said a healthcare professional had provided them with information about nutrition and prostate cancer risk.
Once informed about the potential dairy-related risk, 66 per cent said they would likely avoid dairy products. Meanwhile, 76 per cent supported warning labels on dairy products about possible prostate cancer risks.
Previous research has linked higher dairy consumption with prostate cancer. A meta-analysis of 32 studies found an elevated risk among people consuming larger amounts of dairy. Other studies have reported higher risks among men with frequent consumption of low-fat dairy products.
Research has also suggested that diets rich in plant-based foods may help lower prostate cancer risk. The Adventist Health Study-2 found that men following vegan diets had a 35 per cent lower risk than those following other dietary patterns.
Another study of more than 2,000 men with prostate cancer found that those consuming the most plant-based foods had substantially lower risks of disease progression and recurrence.
Prostate cancer remains a major health threat in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that 333,830 new cases will be diagnosed in 2026, with 36,320 deaths from the disease.
The survey was released during September’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting calls for greater public and professional awareness of dietary factors that may influence prostate cancer risk.