Japanese researchers have discovered a good reason
for women to drink coffee, they say it protects them from cancer of the
uterus.
In a long term study conducted by Japan's Health Ministry, 45,000 women
aged between 40 and 69, were monitored over a 15 year period by
researchers at Japan's National Cancer Center.
The women had been divided into four groups based on their caffeine
consumption and over the study period 117 women died from cancer of the
womb, a global medical news service reported.
The researchers discovered that those who drank more than three cups of
coffee a day had a 60 per cent less chance of developing tumours in the
uterus compared to those who drank coffee less than twice a week.
The researchers believe that coffee reduces insulin
levels and thereby also reduces the risk of cancer. The team also examined
the effects of drinking green tea, but found it appeared to have no bearing
on the chances of developing cancer in the womb.
Cancer of the womb, also known as endometrial or uterine cancer, is the
fourth most common cancer among women and is highly curable if caught in its
early stages. It is commonly picked up during routine screening with a Pap
smear, TruTest, a biopsy or by dilation and curettage (D&C).
Symptoms can include abnormal bleeding, abnormal menstrual periods, bleeding
between normal periods in premenopausal women, vaginal bleeding and/or
spotting in postmenopausal women and women older than 40 and lower abdominal
pain or pelvic cramping.
