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Health and Nutrition

Women May Reduce Cancer Risk with More Calcium

A new study shows that high calcium intake may lower colorectal cancer risk in women.

Researchers studied the diets of 61,463 Swedish women for an average of 11.3 years to determine whether there is an association between dietary intakes of calcium, vitamin D and colorectal cancer risk. Using data from a food frequency questionnaire, researchers found that high dietary calcium intake was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, particularly cancer of the distal colon. Women over the age of 55, with the highest dietary calcium intake (816 to 1,300 mg/day) had a 67 percent significantly lower risk of developing cancer of the distal colon, and a 34 percent lower risk of all colorectal cancers than those with the lowest dietary calcium intake (176 to 568 mg/day). There was no clear association between vitamin D intake and colorectal cancer risk. The authors state their data suggest the association might be strongest in post-menopausal women, but that further study is needed on this point.

Note
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2002, there were an estimated 57,300 new cases of colon cancer in women.

Terry, P. et al. Dietary calcium and vitamin D intake and risk of colorectal cancer: A prospective cohort study in women. Nutrition and Cancer. 2002; 43(I), 39-46.