November 22, 2011
Two recent studies are shedding more light on the prevention of and risk factors associated with endometrial cancer, which begins in the lining of the uterus and is a the most common type of uterine cancer.
Coffee Prevention for Endometrial Cancer
A recent study published in the journal
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, analyzed data from Nurses' Health Study which is one of the most comprehensive investigations of what affects women's health. By analyzing this data, researchers found that women who drank two or three cups of coffee per day reduced their risk of developing endometrial cancer by 7 percent, reports
ABC News.
"Women who regularly consumed coffee were at lower risk of endometrial cancer," said Dr. Edward Giovannucci. "Other studies had seen this association and because coffee lowers insulin levels and free estrogen levels, which are risk factors for endometrial cancer."
It was found that those who drank two or more cups a day actually reduced their risk of developing endometrial cancer by a staggering 22 percent. The caffeine content might not be the only protective agent researchers suggest.
"Endometrial cancer is associated with higher levels of estrogen and insulin," said Giovannucci. "Coffee appears to lower levels of estrogen and insulin in women. Coffee is also rich in antioxidants."
In other studies consumption of coffee has been shown to benefit those
surviving Alzheimer's, stroke and even other cancers like
prostate cancer.
Although finding that coffee consumption may reduce the risk of endometrial cancer is promising, the study's authors believe it is too early to recommend that women start drinking excessive amounts of the world's most consumed stimulant.
"If a woman drinks coffee currently, this may be one benefit," said McCullough. "If not, there are other important ways to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, such as maintaining a healthy body weight and staying physically active."
Long Periods of Sitting Raises Risk for Endometrial Cancer
At the American Institute for Cancer Research's annual meeting, a recent study suggested that over 80,000 new cases of cancer can be attributed to inactivity and long periods of sitting,
reports the OpenPress.
"Even people who get 30 minutes a day of exercise have a higher risk of cancer if they spend the majority of their waking hours sitting," said health experts Dian Griesel Ph.D., and Tom Griesel, authors of the new book
TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust (April 2011, BSH).
"There have been more than 200 cancer studies worldwide finding convincing evidence that regular physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer, colon cancer and endometrial cancer by 25 percent to 30 percent," said Tom Griesel, "and there is some evidence that regular exercise will also reduce the risk of lung, prostate and ovarian cancer," adds Dian Griesel.
"Previous studies linked sitting for long periods to premature death even among people who engage in regular exercise. The given name is 'sitting disease.' The take-away message is that we need regular activity.
"There are many ways to incorporate regular activity into your day along with mini-strength building sessions that require only one minute and can be done anywhere," said Tom Griesel. "The addition of these simple steps is all that is needed to reduce or eliminate the risks associated with sitting and inactivity."
