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Daily Milk Consumption Could Lower Bowel Cancer Risk, Study Finds

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer globally.

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A large glass of milk every day could significantly reduce the risk of bowel cancer, according to the largest study ever conducted on diet and the disease. The research found that calcium, present in dairy products, may help prevent bowel cancer, offering hope for better prevention strategies.

Calcium and Reduced Risk

The study revealed that consuming 300mg of calcium daily, roughly the amount found in half a pint of milk, was linked to a 17% reduction in the risk of developing bowel cancer. Researchers found that both dairy and non-dairy sources of calcium, such as fortified soy milk, had a similar protective effect.

Dr. Keren Papier, the lead author of the study and a senior nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford, emphasized the role of calcium in the findings. “This comprehensive study provides strong evidence that dairy products may help prevent colorectal cancer, largely due to the calcium they contain,” she said.

The Rising Threat of Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer globally, causing nearly 2 million new cases and 1 million deaths annually. The number of new diagnoses is expected to rise to 3.2 million by 2040, with deaths increasing to 1.6 million, primarily due to trends in wealthy countries. Alarmingly, the disease is rising sharply among younger people worldwide. In the UK, the number of adults aged 25 to 49 diagnosed with bowel cancer rose by 22% between the early 1990s and 2018.

Despite these worrying trends, experts believe that more than half of bowel cancer cases could be prevented with lifestyle and diet changes. A healthy weight, a high-fiber diet, limiting alcohol intake, being physically active, and avoiding smoking all help reduce the risk of the disease. Diet, in particular, plays a significant role, with research linking high consumption of red and processed meats to a higher risk of bowel cancer.

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Study Highlights Calcium’s Protective Effect

The study, which followed over 540,000 women for nearly 17 years, focused on the relationship between 97 foods, drinks, and nutrients and bowel cancer risk. The results confirmed previous studies suggesting that dairy products could help prevent bowel cancer, with calcium being the key protective nutrient.

Papier’s team found strong evidence that alcohol and red or processed meats increased the risk of bowel cancer. For instance, each 20g of alcohol consumed daily, roughly equivalent to a large glass of wine, was associated with a 15% higher risk of developing the disease. Additionally, every 30g of red and processed meat eaten daily increased the risk by 8%.

Broader Implications for Health

While the study primarily focused on postmenopausal women, the protective benefits of calcium are expected to extend to both men and younger people as well. Dr. Papier explained that calcium may help prevent colorectal cancer by binding to bile acids and free fatty acids in the colon, reducing their cancer-causing potential.

Sophia Lowes, a spokesperson for Cancer Research UK, which funded the study, said the findings are crucial in understanding how to prevent bowel cancer. “Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, alongside keeping a healthy weight and stopping smoking, is one of the best ways to lower your risk of bowel cancer,” she said. She also highlighted that dairy products like milk can play a part in a diet that reduces bowel cancer risk.

As research continues, experts are eager to learn more about the effects of specific nutrients like calcium on bowel cancer prevention. The findings provide a hopeful direction for future studies, potentially reducing the number of people affected by this devastating disease.

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