A diet high in calcium-rich-foods may help to prevent the spread of breast cancer to the bone, according to the results of an Australian study recently published in Cancer Research.

One of the most common malignancies in women, breast cancer affects approximately one million women per year worldwide. Approximately 70% of patients who develop advanced breast cancer will go on to develop secondary tumours in the bone.

The study investigated the effect of a calcium deficient diet, and resulting increased bone turnover (increased bone breakdown and re-growth), on the establishment and growth of secondary tumours in the bones of mice with artificially induced breast cancer.

The results of this study found that, in mice, a diet low in calcium significantly increases the risk of breast cancer cell growth in bone due to raised levels of bone turnover. These results may have very positive implications for the treatment of breast cancer as reducing bone turnover, through the correction of calcium and vitamin D deficiency, may improve the outcome of patient care.

Previous animal studies have found that a diet low in calcium increases bone turnover, and several clinical studies show that a high bone turnover can be associated with a significantly higher risk of future disease progression and death.

Unfortunately, middle-aged to elderly women, who are at higher risk of breast cancer because of their age, experience rapid bone losses due to natural changes in their bodies’ hormones. This, combined with a diet lacking in calcium as is often the case in older people, can leave their bones even more vulnerable to cancer.

Carole Barr, Nutrition Scientist, The Dairy Council says: “The results of this study are really positive, however, studies have so far only been conducted in animals and therefore human studies are required to fully determine the role of calcium and bone turnover in tumour growth. For those wishing to increase their intake of calcium and other bone building nutrients, consuming dairy foods is an easy way to meet calcium needs.”

For further information relating to dairy research or for nutrition advice relating to dairy, please visit www.milk.co.uk, or contact The Dairy Council at [email protected] or on 020 7395 4030.

About the Dairy Council:

The Dairy Council is a non-profit making organisation, jointly funded by farmers and processors via the Milk Development Council and Dairy UK. The Dairy Council provides evidence-based nutrition information on the role of dairy foods in a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.

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