Study shows coffee and cancer connection

New research from Sweden shows a connection between coffee consumption and lower incidence of breast cancer.

The study, published recently in BioMed Central’s online journal Breast Cancer Research, found that coffee drinking reduces the risk of antiestrogen-resistant, estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer.

Researchers from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet compared lifestyle factors, including coffee consumption, of women the same age with and without breast cancer. Lifestyle factors such as exercise, weight and family medical history were also taken into account.

The researchers also noted similar findings in an earlier Germany study, although with a weaker connection – something they say may have to do with the type of coffee bean used or how coffee was prepared. Since estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer was not shown to be affected by coffee consumption, the phytoestrogens in coffee were not thought to cause the protective effect.

The study concludes that more research is needed to pinpoint the exact compounds in coffee affecting breast cancer risk.