Yogurt May Prevent Bladder Cancer

STOCKHOLM, Sweden—Findings from a recent study suggest high intakes of cultured milk may lower the risk of developing bladder cancer (Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;88(4):1083-87). The study followed 82,002 Swedish women and men who were cancer-free and who completed a 96-item food-frequency questionnaire in 1997. Incident cases of bladder cancer were identified in the Swedish cancer registries. During a mean follow-up of 9.4 years, 485 participants were diagnosed with bladder cancer. Total dairy intake was not significantly associated with risk of bladder cancer [ 7.0 servings/d compared with <3.5 servings/d. However, a statistically significant inverse association was observed for the intake of cultured milk (sour milk and yogurt). The multivariate rate ratios (RRs) for the highest category of cultured milk intake ( 2 servings/d) compared with the lowest category (0 serving/d) were 0.62 in women and men combined, 0.55 in women, and 0.64 in men. The intake of milk or cheese was not associated with bladder cancer risk.