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| Coffee cuts breast cancer risk |
Conflicting study results suggest coffee might reduce the chances of breast cancer. In a new study , researchers say women who drink more than five cups of the brew daily do seem to be protected from the disease , though the reasons are unclear.
In the new study , scientists found coffee cuts the risks of antiestrogen-resistant estrogen-receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer specifically.
ER negative breast cancer prevention has been the subject of much research. Drugs like tamoxifen , known as aromatase inhibitors , target ER positive types of the disease in high risk women , making the finding especially appealing.
After adjusting for other lifestyle factors , the researchers still found coffee is protective for women who consume the beverage , compared to seldom or non-drinkers.
The scientists also noted the effect doesn't seem to be from phytoestrogens because coffee only seems to protect women from ER-negative types of the disease.
The study comes from researchers at the Karolinska Institutet who say all coffee is not the same.
In a German study , the link between coffee and lower risk of breast cancer was weaker. The study authors suspect it may have something to do with the way the brew is prepared , or the type of coffee bean.
Lifestyle factors that include weight management , smoking cessation and regular exercise reduce the chances of developing breast cancer. Now coffee can be added to the list of breast cancer prevention interventions worth considering , even though the reasons the brew protects are still unknown.
BioMed Central: doi:10.1186/bcr2879
"Coffee consumption modifies risk of estrogen-receptor negative breast cancer"
Jingmei L et al
