Coffee Might Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk

Photo credit: bigstock.com

Photo credit: bigstock.com

Can the Risk Increase?

The good news is that caffeine consumption, particularly from the use of coffee, will not cause you to be at risk of developing breast cancer any more than you already are. It can only reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, not increase it.

A higher consumption of coffee is generally needed in order to reduce your breast cancer risk. However, this can be limited to about four to six cups of coffee a day. This is a typical rate of consumption for many people and should be safe to handle.

 

How Menopause Impacts the Condition

Studies suggest that there is a link between coffee consumption and the prevention of breast cancer in post-menopausal women. Various studies conducted throughout Europe have found that the impact of coffee may be positive. In 2011, a Breast Cancer Research study found that women who drink at least five cups of coffee a day are at least a third less likely to develop breast cancer after menopause.

Specifically, women are less likely to develop hormone-receptor-negative forms of breast cancer. This is a form of the condition where cancer cells do not have receptors for estrogen or progesterone. These tend to be stronger and harder to treat than other forms of breast cancer. Further work has to be done to see if coffee consumption can prevent all forms of breast cancer, but it can at least control how the most significant and dangerous form of breast cancer may develop.

Meanwhile, studies have similar things to say about pre-menopausal women. Women who consume coffee on a regular basis before menopause will have a dramatically reduced risk of developing breast cancer. Specifically, those who have about four to six cups a day will be at least a third less likely to contract breast cancer.

The benefits listed here are for regular coffee. The same health benefits have not been observed in those who consume decaffeinated coffee instead.

Continue to Page 3

PrevPage: 2 of 3Next
//