Based on PubMed | Does drinking milk increase the risk of gallbladder cancer?

Milk intake is not known to increase the risk of gallbladder cancer, and current authoritative sources do not list milk or dairy as a risk factor for this disease. ^{[1] [2]} The strongest and most consistent risk factors for gallbladder cancer are gallstones, older age, female sex, certain chronic biliary inflammatory conditions, obesity, some infections (such as repeated salmonella/typhoid), and specific anatomical findings like large gallbladder polyps or porcelain gallbladder. ^{[1] [2]}

What established sources say

• Gallstones are the biggest and most consistent risk factor for gallbladder cancer, and they are more common in women. ^{[3] [4]}
• Other recognized risks include older age, female sex, certain ethnic backgrounds, chronic inflammation of the bile ducts (for example, primary sclerosing cholangitis), obesity, porcelain gallbladder, and family history. ^{[1] [2]}
• Major clinical references and cancer centers do not cite milk or dairy intake as a risk factor for gallbladder cancer. ^{[1] [2]}

What the research on dairy and cancer shows

• Broad reviews of dairy and cancer suggest mixed effects depending on cancer type: dairy has been linked to lower risk for colorectal and bladder cancers in some analyses, and high-calcium diets have been linked to higher risk of prostate cancer; however, these summaries do not implicate milk in gallbladder cancer risk. ^{[5] [6]}
• Older cohort data have noted varied associations between milk and other cancers (for example, inverse association with bladder cancer), but these findings do not extend to gallbladder cancer and are not used to guide gallbladder cancer prevention. ^{[7] [5]}

Biology and plausibility

• Gallbladder cancer often develops on the background of chronic gallbladder inflammation and gallstone disease rather than from a single dietary component. ^{[1] [8]}
• While cholesterol balance, bile composition, and metabolic factors can influence gallstone formation, there is no robust evidence that usual milk consumption directly drives gallbladder carcinogenesis. ^[8]

Practical guidance for lowering gallbladder cancer risk

• Manage gallstone risk where possible: maintaining a healthy weight and a balanced diet with adequate fiber may help lower gallstone risk, which in turn may reduce gallbladder cancer risk. ^{[1] [2]}
• Address chronic biliary conditions with a clinician and follow advice on monitoring or removing large or concerning gallbladder polyps. ^{[1] [2]}
• Be mindful of overall risk factors such as age, sex, and family history, and discuss personalized screening or surgical decisions (for example, in porcelain gallbladder) with a healthcare professional. ^{[1] [2]}

Key takeaways

• There is no convincing evidence that drinking milk increases gallbladder cancer risk. ^{[1] [2]}
• Focus on well-established risks like gallstones and chronic biliary inflammation, and on general healthy lifestyle measures that may reduce gallstone formation. ^{[1] [2]}