Could coffee reduce breast cancer recurrence risk?

A new study led by researchers at Lund University in Sweden showed that coffee may reduce breast cancer recurrence risk in women taking tamoxifen by enhancing the drug’s effect.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with every group of 8 women including 1 affected woman. Early treatment primarily involves local approaches such as surgery and radiotherapy, while advanced disease favors systemic treatments such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Hormone therapy can be used if a tumor is estrogen- and/or progesterone-sensitive, meaning it carries hormone receptors. It is also used after surgery and radiotherapy in early breast cancer to reduce recurrence risk, and preventively in women considered high risk. The most commonly used hormone treatment is tamoxifen, whose value is proven through more than 30 years of successful use. It acts by blocking estrogen’s effect in breast cancer development. A recent study showed that coffee increases tumor-cell sensitivity to tamoxifen, enhancing its recurrence-reducing effect.

The study included 1090 breast cancer patients, of whom 500 received tamoxifen. Coffee intake was assessed regularly and classified as low (less than 1 cup daily), moderate (2-4 cups daily) or high (5 cups or more daily). Among tamoxifen-treated women, moderate or high coffee intake reduced recurrence risk compared with low or no intake. Researchers also found that caffeine and caffeic acid in coffee inhibit cancer cell growth by cutting off signals needed for growth. They stated that these substances might sensitize tumor cells to tamoxifen and consequently reduce breast cancer development.

In conclusion, According to this study, coffee may enhance tamoxifen’s effectiveness and reduce recurrence risk in breast cancer patients taking it. However, presenting or promoting coffee as a medicine is inappropriate, because excessive coffee, like anything, can cause problems. If you enjoy it and have no reason to limit caffeine, such as heart disease or pregnancy, coffee is among the beverages recommended in moderation.