Anyone know about dairy and breast cancer risk

[dahliaaa]

Long story short. Wonderful DH diagnosed with incurable inoperable cancer. Devastated. Trying to enjoy what time we have.

Anyway I feel an almost obsessive need to keep well for our DC's. Have some family history of breast cancer and just want to feel that I'm doing best I can to try and avoid it if possible.

Know that although I'm not overweight I need to cut down on sugar. But have an activia yoghurt each day. Have done for years. Realise that's probably just full of sugar but confused about the whole calcium thing. (I don't drink tea or coffee and have very small amount of semi skimmed milk on museli each morning.)

Can anyone explain benefits of yoghurt / calcium v breast cancer risks.

Thank you

There's no evidence I'm aware of linking consumption of dairy foods with breast cancer. There is a link with being overweight and with alcohol however (I work for a cancer charity)

Thank you for replying. Maybe I've been reading too many tabloid scare stories :-)

I haven't heard of that link and read a lot of articles after I discovered a lump five years ago....fortunately just a nastily lump of infection.
The best thing to do to reduce your risk is to keep to a healthy weight, exercise and limit alcohol.
I know what you mean about wanting to keep healthy...my 13 year old gets very anxious about my health as her father has been seriously ill, although with mental illness and she worries about me not being around.
Maybe also have a chat about your BC risk with your GP.

Thank you. I think for lots of reasons I need to up my exercise.

I thought there was some evidence re Japan and the fact that Japanese women don't tend to eat dairy and Japanese Breast cancer statistics.

I think that's what I'd seen Holly. And also the suggestion that soya products better .... but then a lack of calcium being a problem for bones etc post menopause.

No evidence for dairy increasing breast cancer risk and you also don't want osteoporosis. Always be wary of studies on Japanese populations there are a couple of major genetic differences between western and Japanese populations that make comparisons very difficult. There are also major other dietary differences such as their fish and seaweed consumption that may affect cancer risk.

As above breast cancer risk mainly negated by exercise and weight control, and unfortunately major alcohol limitations! It's much more popular to say "stop your yogurts!" Than "stop all alcohol" but actually the later would see a much greater reduction in risk without any other ill effects.

If you have a number of relatives who have had breast cancer you should look at NICE guidelines for referral to clinical geneticist

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG164/ifp/chapter/About-this-information

GP can refer you if you meet the criteria and they can advise on individual advice including any enhanced screening required.

There is osteoporosis in Japan, approximately 30% of women age 70-79 (epidemiological study). It's a myth to think they don't have it. There's a big debate about whether it's hugely under-diagnosed in Japan, and it is certainly much less treated compared to western women with similar diagnoses. The Japanese also walk a huge amount more than westerners (load bearing exercise is preventative). Something like 70% of adults in UK walk for less than an hour a week.

Totally agree about Japan being a genetically restrictive population, but also different wrt lifestyle & diet. Some researchers are now linking osteoporosis risk to vitamin D levels, too, btw. British people spend very little time outside, so may be esp. high risk for low Vitamin D. So that links back to too little walking.

Thank you for all useful info. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the meet and just not capable of doing my usual research.

Hi, I was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago and did huge amounts of research in to diet and cancer risk. It's so confusing but the current evidence shows no risk linking dairy to cancer. I did read a book by ,I think she is called Jane Plant who insists there is a risk but again sites lots of evidence based on comparisons with us and Japan. In the end I chose to carry on drinking milk but choose organic (again nothing to do with cancer just more omega 3 I think). I understand how you are feeling, it's so overwhelming.

Here's what I do and what there is evidence for:
Exercise- 4 times a week reduces my risk of a reoccurrence by 50%.
Eat healthily, lots of veggies, broccoli is especially good. Fruits, berries.
I take vitamin D daily. Though everyone should. I have read studies again that correlate high levels of vitamin d with a lower risk of cancer.
Omega 3s.
Limit alcohol.
Some interesting research being done on turmeric. So I try add that to food when I remember.
Mushrooms boost the immune system.

Cancer is so complex, you do everything right and still can suffer. Yet others smoke, drink, are overweight and are obviously fine.

I don't know how much any of the above helps me as I was pretty healthy anyway!

Delatron thank you so much for sharing your research - that's exactly what i was looking for.
I hope you are well now.

Thanks dajliaaa. I feel well and I'm just crossing my fingers and doing what I can.
I really remember the feeling of being completely overwhelmed by conflicting studies and I spent months obsessively reading everything I could, getting more and more confused!

I'm so sorry about your dh.

That's great and thank you.

Hi, I was just about to mention Professor Jane Plant too. I bought her book for my dad when he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer (hormonal) . I joined the prostate cancer forum and several members swore by the book. It doesn't negate medical treatments, just talks about changing diet - predominantly dairy.

Why don't you Google her name and breast cancer, and read her story online?
Good luck. I'm sorry to hear about your OH.

Not sure about breast, but there are concerns over prostate cancer in men and I'm sure I've read of genetic links between prostate/breast cancers.

Meta-analysis

Review of meta-analyses

If you do give up dairy, make sure you choose a fortified 'milk' to replace it (soy is ok and brand names tend to use more biologically available calcium).

I'm sorry about your DH

I'm sorry about your DH. I can't even imagine what you're all going through.

Like Delatron, I also had breast cancer (five-ish years ago for me. I was very young to have it - in my twenties).

Everything that's been suggested is good, but the most important things are maintaining a healthy weight; regular exercise, not drinking alcohol and taking large amounts of vitamin D - more than the paltry recommended daily dose. Those are the actions that will make the most difference, but of course, none of us have much control over it in the end.

Thank you for all the extra info. Will look at the links and Jane Plant etc.
I'm not overweight and only have the odd glass of wine but I don't do anywhere enough exercise and eat much sugar (I should be the size of a house really!)
DH diagnosis is a real example re there being only so much you can do. He was super fit / great diet etc etc

I would be sceptical about Jane Plant tbh. She claims to have cured her cancer through diet. What you need to know is that she also had surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. Oh, and she may be Dr Jane Plant but she isn't a doctor of medicine.

The only benefits would be in raw dairy not processed