High
dairy intake linked to testicular cancer risk
Last
Updated: 2003-10-13 16:00:57 -0400 (Reuters Health)
NEW
YORK (Reuters Health) - Canadian men who consume comparatively
high amounts of dairy products have an increased risk of testicular
cancer, according to a new study.
"Although testicular cancer is a relatively rare lesion, accounting
for only 1.1% of all malignant neoplasms in males in Canada,
it is the most common cancer among Canadian men 20 to 45 years
of age," Dr. Michael J. Garner, of the University of Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada, and others write in the International Journal
of Cancer.
The researchers obtained dietary information from 601 patients
with testicular cancer and 744 similar men without cancer.
They used a 69-item food-frequency questionnaire to collect
data on 17 food groups, 15 nutrients, and 4 individual foods.
Subjects who consumed high levels of dairy products had an
increased risk of testicular cancer. In particular, a high
intake of cheese was tied to an 87 percent higher likelihood
of developing testicular cancer.
Luncheon meat intake was also associated significantly with
testicular cancer risk in the total sample, Garner's team
found.
The investigators report that none of the nutrients were linked
the risk of testicular cancer, but carbohydrate intake was
marginally associated with one type of testicular cancer.
"Our study adds significantly to the sparse literature on
dietary risk factors for testicular cancer," the researchers
write.
"Although the present study provides evidence of increased
risk in relation to the consumption of dairy products, the
role of diet in testicular cancer etiology requires further
research," they conclude.
SOURCE: International Journal of Cancer, October 10, 2003.
NEW
YORK (Reuters Health) - Canadian men who consume comparatively
high amounts of dairy products have an increased risk of testicular
cancer, according to a new study.
