Calcium and low fat milk may increase the risk of prostate cancer, say the authors of a new study into the link between dairy products and the disease. But as Jess Halliday reports, previous research suggesting that low fat sources of the mineral could help protect against colorectal cancer means further investigation into its action is needed.A study carried out at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia and published in this month’s American Journal of Clinical Nutrition set out to examine the link between prostate cancer and consumption of dairy products, calcium and vitamin D. Led by Marilyn Tseng, the researchers drew their data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, which took place between 1982-4 and 1994 and involved 3612 men.
