The World Research Cancer Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) published its Second Expert Report in October to evaluate the relationship between diet and cancer. A major focus of the report is on maintenance of healthy weight, which is related to physical activity and consumption of energy dense foods. In addition, the report doesn’t call for modifications in the current Dietary Guidelines recommendations for dairy and makes no public health recommendations regarding the consumption of dairy foods.

The report involved over 100 scientists from 30 different countries. While the WCRF/AICR commissioned and funded the report, an independent panel of 21 of the world’s leading scientists worked for five years to produce the final content. This group based its conclusions and recommendations on scientific evidence. They are as follows:

Recommendations for Cancer Prevention
1. Be as lean as possible within the normal range of body weight.
2. Be physically active as part of everyday life.
3. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods. Avoid sugary drinks.
4. Eat mostly foods of plant origin.
5. Limit intake of red meat and avoid processed meat.
6. Limit alcoholic drinks.
7. Limit consumption of salt. Avoid moldy cereals (grains) or pulses (legumes).
8. Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone.

Special Population Recommendations
9. Mothers to breastfeed; children to be breastfed.
10. Cancer survivors to follow the recommendations for cancer prevention.
Implications for Milk and Dairy
Evidence on the relationship of milk and dairy products to cancer suggested that milk “probably” protects against colorectal cancer and diets high in calcium, specifically 1.5 g calcium per day, are a “probable” cause of prostate cancer. In addition, “limited” evidence suggested that milk protects against bladder cancer. The report graded the strength of the evidence in four categories: convincing (strongest evidence), probable, limited, and substantial effect on risk unlikely.

The report acknowledges that the two main ways to reduce the risk of cancer are:
1) consume healthy diets, be physically active and maintain healthy weight
2) don’t smoke and avoid exposure to smoke.

Visit www.dietandcancerreport.org for more information.