Coffee may reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

According to a new study, researchers at Lund University and Skane University Hospital in Sweden have found that coffee inhibits the growth of tumors and reduces the risk of recurrence in women with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from 1,090 patients with breast cancer. They found that among the over 500 women who were treated with the estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen, those who drank at least two cups of coffee per day had half the risk of disease recurrence compared with those who drank less coffee or no coffee.

The study also showed that women who drank at least two cups per day had smaller breast tumors and fewer hormone-dependent tumors.

"If you like coffee and are also taking tamoxifen, there is no reason to stop drinking it. Just two cups a day is sufficient to make a difference," said study researchers.