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Coffee may reduce a woman's risk of breast cancer

Category: Breast

Drinking a warm cup of coffee each morning may do more for women than just wake them up. New research out of Sweden shows that it may also reduce their risk of receiving a positive breast cancer test.

The Karolinska Institute scientists who conducted the investigation reported in the journal Breast Cancer Research that coffee drinkers had significantly lower rates of estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer.

They arrived at these results after surveying two groups of women, one with breast cancer and another without, about their lifestyle habits. Participants were compared to one another after being matched on the basis of age.

Despite showing that coffee drinkers have lower rates of breast cancer, the researchers stopped short of recommending the brew for everyone. This is because their study was unable to determine the exact mechanism by which the drink affects the development of cancer.

Still, other studies have shown similar results, indicating that more research into the possible positive effects of coffee are warranted. The researchers said that the type of roast may be an important factor in the protective nature of the drink.