Jan 2012: New Research Suggests that Coffee Consumption May Lower Endometrial Cancer Risk Amongst Post-Menopausal Women

A new prospective cohort study amongst 45,696 women suggests that there is no association between coffee consumption and endometrial cancer risk.¹  These data demonstrate evidence of an overall inverse association between decaffeinated coffee and endometrial cancer risk.¹  Within the subgroup of obese women, the researchers observed a lower risk of endometrial cancer amongst obese women who drank two or less cups of coffee.¹  These results are important as:

• Obese women have the highest absolute risk of endometrial cancer, when compared with thin women¹
• About 4500 women in the UK develop endometrial cancer each year. Most cases develop in women in their 50s and 60s³

Dr Euan Paul, Executive Director of the British Coffee Association, commented, “This study adds to the growing scientific data that suggests moderate coffee consumption, 4 – 5 cups of coffee per day, is safe and not associated with risk of cancer.  It is particularly encouraging to see that this prospective cohort study builds on the findings of other studies which have also suggested that coffee consumption may reduce endometrial cancer risk.³

As advised by the NHS, pregnant women should moderate their intake of caffeine to 200mg per day from all sources.³  

References

1. Giri, A. et al.  Caffeinated Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Endometrial Cancer Risk: A Prospective Cohort Study amongst US Postmenopausal Women. Nutrients, 2011, Volume 3, 937-950
2. Uterine Cancer, Patient UK. http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Cancer-of-the-Uterus.htm  Accessed January 2012
3. NHS Choices, http://www.nhs.uk/Planners/pregnancycareplanner/pages/Healthinpregnancyhome.aspx Accessed January 2012