Glass of milk a day cuts bowel cancer risk

LONDON, Jan 08 (BBC): A large UK study has found further evidence that people with more calcium in their diet - equivalent to a glass of milk a day - can help reduce their risk of bowel cancer.
The researchers analysed the diets of more than half a million women over 16 years and found dark leafy greens, bread and non-dairy milks containing calcium also had a protective effect.
They also found more evidence that consuming too much alcohol and processed meat has the opposite effect, increasing the risk of the disease.
Cancer charities say having a healthy, balanced diet, being a healthy weight and stopping smoking were the best ways to lower your risk of bowel cancer. A recent review found dairy products "probably" decreased the risk of colorectal (bowel) cancer.
This study, from Oxford University and Cancer Research UK, suggests that is down to calcium, from dairy or non-dairy foods. "It highlights the potential protective role of dairy, largely due to calcium, in the development of bowel cancer," said lead researcher Dr Keren Papier, from Oxford.
Breakfast cereal, fruit, wholegrains, carbohydrates, fibre and vitamin C also showed they lowered the risk of the cancer, but only slightly. It is already well-known that eating too much processed meat and red meat probably increases your risk of bowel cancer, as does alcohol.
Quantifying exactly what those percentages mean is tricky, because everyone's risk of bowel cancer is different depending on their lifestyle, diet, habits and genetics.
Calcium is an important mineral for strengthening bones and keeping your teeth healthy, but there is growing evidence it also protects against some cancers.