About cheese - Men Warned; too much cheese raises risk of testicular cancer - Brief Article

testicular cancer, nitrates, carcinogens


Men who eat too much cheese could be at a higher risk of contracting testicular cancer, Canadian researchers conclude in a new study.

University of Ottawa scientists systematically examined 17 food groups, 15 nutrients and 4 individual foods, and they studied 1,345 men--with and without testicular cancer--over several years. The link between cheese consumption and this type of cancer was found to be strong; there was a weaker link between testicular cancer and processed meats.

The reasons behind the associations are not known. Cheese contains large amounts of fat, calcium and protein. Processed meats are high in fat and contain nitrates, which are potential carcinogens.

The study, published in the October 2003 issue of the International Journal of Cancer, is viewed as the most comprehensive look yet at the link between diet and risk of testicular cancer.