Drinking more coffee may be associated with reduced cancer recurrence and death in patients with stage III colon cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Here are five insights:
1. Researchers analyzed 953 patients with stage III colon cancer during and 6 months after chemotherapy. Patients reported their intake of caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee and non-herbal tea, as well as 128 other items.
2. Patients consuming four cups or more of coffee experienced an adjusted hazard ratio for colon cancer recurrence or mortality of 0.58, as compared with those who never drink coffee.
3. Patients consuming four cups or more of caffeinated coffee experienced significantly reduced cancer recurrence or mortality risk compared with abstainers.
4. Additionally, increasing caffeine intake also conferred a significant reduction in cancer recurrence or mortality.
5. Non-herbal tea and decaffeinated coffee did not impact patient outcome.