Prostate cancer affects about 12 percent of men overall. But once you hit 60, that number climbs to 60 percent and it keeps rising with each passing year. That is a lot of us.
So it is worth paying attention when a growing body of research points to something in our everyday diet that may be pushing that risk higher.
What Most Men Do Not Know About Dairy
A survey of 1,102 men in the U.S. found that only 20 percent knew that milk and other dairy products have been linked to increased prostate cancer risk. Most men had simply never heard it.
Once they did hear it, though, 66 percent said they would consider cutting back on dairy. And 76 percent supported adding warning labels to dairy products about this risk.
What the Research Actually Shows
This is not one study. A meta-analysis of 32 separate studies found evidence of elevated prostate cancer risk tied to dairy consumption.
One study found that men who drank at least one serving of whole milk per day had a 19 percent higher risk of prostate cancer. Another found that men consuming several servings of low-fat dairy each day had double the risk, or even higher.
When it comes to dying from prostate cancer, a large meta-analysis covering 778,929 men found that those who consumed the most whole milk had up to a 50 percent higher risk of death from prostate cancer than men who consumed the least.
Here Is the Good News
More plants on your plate may help in a meaningful way. One study found that men following a vegan diet had a 35 percent lower prostate cancer risk compared to men who ate animal products, including those who were vegetarian or pescatarian but still ate some dairy or eggs.
And for men who have already been diagnosed, the picture gets even more interesting. In a study of 2,038 men with prostate cancer, those who ate the most plant-based foods had a 56 percent lower risk of their cancer progressing and a 59 percent lower risk of recurrence compared to those eating the fewest plants.
That means adding more vegetables, legumes, and whole grains may be worth doing on its own, alongside cutting back on dairy.
One More Thing Worth Knowing About Testing
Most of us are familiar with the PSA test: the Prostate Specific Antigen test that doctors have used for years. What fewer people know is that the scientist who created it has since called it a profit-driven health disaster that is no better than a coin toss.
There is a newer option called the Prostate Screening Episwitch test, or PSE test, which researchers report is 94 percent accurate. It may be worth asking your doctor whether that test is available to you.
As always, talk with your healthcare provider before making changes. But knowing what the research says is a good place to start.
