Could Coffee Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence?

Coffee consumption prevented tumor growth and decreased the risk of recurrence in patients diagnosed with breast cancer and treated with the drug tamoxifen, according to recent research.

The study was conducted as a follow-up to findings from a study conducted 2 years ago at Lund University and Skane University Hospital, and included lifestyle and clinical data from 1090 breast cancer patients.^1,2
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The researchers discovered that the women who drank at least 2 cups of coffee per day had 50% of the risk of tumor recurrence compared to those who drank less or no coffee.^1,2

The study also showed that moderate coffee consumption (2 to 4 cups per day) linked to less invasive primary tumors and a lower proportion of hormone-dependent tumors compared to women who consumed 1 cup or less per day.^1,2

“The breast cancer cells reacted to these substances, especially caffeine, with reduced cell division and increased cell death, especially in combination with tamoxifen,” explained Ann Rosendahl, MD and Helena Jernstrom, MD the study’s researchers.¹

This shows that these substances have an effect on the breast cancer cells and turn off signaling pathways that the cancer cells require to grow,” they said.¹

Rosendahl and colleagues further noted that patients who enjoy coffee should have no reason to stop drinking the beverage; they believe just 2 cups a day can make an impactful difference.¹

The complete study is published in the April issue of Clinical Cancer Research.

-Michelle Canales Butcher

References:

1. Lund University. More detailed findings confirm that coffee protects against breast cancer recurrence. April 21, 2015. www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/more-detailed-findings-confirm-that-coffee-protects-against-breast-cancer-recurrence. Accessed April 24, 2015.

2. Rosendahl AH, Perks CM, Zeng L, et al. Caffeine and caffeic acid inhibit growth and modify estrogen receptor and insulin-like growth factor I receptor levels in human breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2015 April [epub ahead of print] doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-14-1748.