Coffee May Prevent Endometrial Cancer

In the U.S., endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organ. It is a type of cancer that starts in the endometrium, which is located on inner lining of the uterus. It may sometimes be referred to as uterine cancer. The uterus is the female pelvic organ where a fetus grows when a woman is carrying a child. Now, a new study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention investigates the effects of diet and the risk of this prominent cancer in women. They found that 3-4 cups of coffee daily reduced the risk of endometrial cancer by up to 19%. 

Researchers discovered this through an analysis of 1,303 women with this cancer and the link between 84 foods and nutrients consumed. The team found that nine foods and nutrients could be associated with the risk of the cancer including carbs, monounsaturated fat, yogurt, butter, cheese and coffee. 

The researchers found that drinking three cups of coffee a day reduced endometrial cancer risk by 19% among women in the EPIC study, compared with women who drank less than one cup of coffee a day. Among women in the NHS/NHSII cohorts, drinking four cups of coffee a day reduced the risk of endometrial cancer by 18%, compared with those who never drank coffee.

In the EPIC study, the team linked total fat, monounsaturated fat and phosphorus intake with reduced risk of endometrial cancer, while butter and carbohydrates were associated with increased risk. These findings are deemed insignificant, however, as the researchers were unable to validate them in the NHS/NHSII cohorts.

Key statistics for endometrial cancer:

• Endometrial cancer is most commonly found among women aged 55 and older, and is rare in women younger than 45.
• About 1 in 37 women will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer in their lifetime.
• Caucasian women are more likely to get endometrial cancer, but African-American women are more likely to die from it.
• It is estimated that in 2015, there will be about 54, 870 new cases of uterine cancers (uterine or endometrial cancer) diagnosed and about 10,170 women will die from them.

Other signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer may include vaginal bleeding after menopause, bleeding between periods, a watery or somewhat bloody vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, or pain during intercourse.

Risk factors for endometrial cancer:

·         Family history (having close relatives with endometrial or colorectal cancer)

·         Age (more common in women aged 55 and over)

·         Poor diet and lack of physical exercise

·         Things that affect hormone levels (i.e. taking estrogen after menopause, birth control pills, or tamoxifen; the number of menstrual cycles over a lifetime, pregnancy, obesity, certain ovarian tumors, and polycystic ovarian syndrome)

·         Having been diagnosed with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometrial hyperplasia previously

·         Having had radiation therapy to the pelvis to treat another cancer

·         Having diabetes

·         Use of an intrauterine device

There are a number of tests and procedures that are used to diagnose endometrial cancer. If endometrial cancer is suspected, your doctor may do a pelvic examination, transvaginal ultrasound, hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy, or a dilation and curettage (D&C) which is when tissue is scraped from the lining of the uterus and examined for cancer cells.

The treatment options for endometrial cancer depend on what stage the cancer is and your overall health. Treatment options include surgery to remove the uterus, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy.