Coffee and Increased Ovarian Cancer Risk
Monday August 18, 2008
We have known from laboratory studies for a while that coffee can lead to DNA mutations and other cancer-causing biochemical alterations in cells. We have also seen some smaller clinical series which have suggested increased risk of ovarian cancer. Now we have a larger study with 29,060 postmenopausal women which is cause for concern.
The recently published Iowa Women's Health Study, which followed these women from 1986 to 2004, shows that the risk of ovarian cancer in post-menopausal women drinking 5 or more cups a day may be significantly increased. This risk does not appear to be related to the amount of caffeine because the risk was the same between de-caf and caf coffee.
It appears that sipping on coffee of any kind all day long may increase ovarian cancer risk and this risk may be related to something in the coffee other than caffeine. The statistics are pretty strong in this one. If you are over-doing coffee, it may be a good idea to reign this habit in a little.
The recently published Iowa Women's Health Study, which followed these women from 1986 to 2004, shows that the risk of ovarian cancer in post-menopausal women drinking 5 or more cups a day may be significantly increased. This risk does not appear to be related to the amount of caffeine because the risk was the same between de-caf and caf coffee.
It appears that sipping on coffee of any kind all day long may increase ovarian cancer risk and this risk may be related to something in the coffee other than caffeine. The statistics are pretty strong in this one. If you are over-doing coffee, it may be a good idea to reign this habit in a little.