Coffee & Health
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Men who regularly drink coffee appear to have a lower risk
of developing a lethal form of prostate cancer, according to
a new study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers.
The study was published May 17, 2011, in an online edition
of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
"Few studies have specifically studied the association of coffee intake and
the risk of lethal prostate cancer, the form of the disease that is the most
critical to prevent. Our study is the
largest to date to examine whether coffee could lower the risk
of lethal prostate cancer," said the researchers.
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed form of
cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among U.S. men,
affecting one in six men during their lifetime. More
than 2 million men in the U.S. and 16 million men worldwide
are prostate cancer survivors. Lethal prostate cancer causes death or
spreads to the bones.
"At present we lack an understanding of risk factors that can be changed or
controlled to lower the risk of lethal prostate cancer.
If our findings are validated, coffee could represent one modifiable factor
that may lower the risk of developing the
most harmful form of prostate cancer," they also explained.
The researchers chose to study coffee because it contains many beneficial
compounds that act as antioxidants, reduce inflammation, and regulate
insulin, all of which may influence prostate cancer. Coffee has been
associated in prior studies with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease, type 2
diabetes, gallstone
disease, and liver cancer or cirrhosis.
The study examined the association between coffee consumption and the
risk of prostate cancer, particularly the risk for aggressive prostate cancer
among 47,911 U.S. men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study who
reported their coffee consumption every four years from 1986 to 2008.
During the study period, 5,035 cases of prostate cancer were reported,
including 642 fatal or metastatic cases.
These Are The Major Findings:
Men who consumed the most coffee (six or more cups daily)
had nearly a 20% lower risk of developing any form of prostate cancer.
The inverse association with coffee was even stronger for aggressive
prostate cancer. Men who drank the most coffee
had a 60% lower risk of developing lethal prostate cancer.
The reduction in risk was seen whether the men drank decaffeinated or
regular coffee, and does not appear to be
due to caffeine.
Even drinking one to three cups of coffee per day was associated with a
30% lower risk of lethal prostate cancer.
Coffee drinkers were more likely to smoke and less likely to exercise,
behaviors that may increase advanced prostate cancer risk. The other
lifestyle factors were controlled for in the study and coffee still was
associated with a lower risk.
The study was supported by the National Cancer Institute at the National
Institutes of Health, the American Institute for Cancer Research, and the
Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Story Source: Harvard School of Public Health
Journal Reference:
Coffee Consumption and Prostate Cancer Risk and Progression in
the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute May 17, 2011