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Mercy gynecologic oncologist Dr. Hyung S. Ryu

Mercy Gynecologic Oncology Dr. Hyung S. Ryu Discusses Role Of Coffee In Preventing Endometrial Cancer

A recent study says that coffee may play a role in preventing endometrial cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the reproductive system in women, and thousands are diagnosed with the disease each year.

A study on endometrial cancer, posted in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, recently found that women who drank coffee were at less risk for the disease.

According to Mercy gynecologic oncologist Dr. Hyung Ryu, they don't know what's in coffee that guards against endometrial cancer, but doctors believe it may lower the amounts of insulin and estrogen in the body.

"Insulin is a factor in promoting cancer risk. The theory is that coffee improves the body's ability to process insulin, and so there's less insulin in the body," Dr. Ryu said. "If you have too much estrogen, that causes a buildup of the lining of the uterus, and that's one of the big risk factors for developing endometrial cancer."

Other risk factors for endometrial cancer include obesity, never having been pregnant and a family history of endometrial or colon cancer.

Mercy dietitian Kelly O'Connor noted that if you're thinking of drinking more coffee to combat it, remember that too much caffeine can be harmful, so drink it in moderation.

"We really probably wouldn't tell people who don't drink coffee to start drinking four cups a day, and because the study really didn't show actual cause and effect, we probably would just say stick to two cups a day," O'Connor clarified.

Researchers also included tea in their study, but tea did not show any protection against endometrial cancer.

To view Dr. Ryu’s interview with WBAL-TV11 online, click this link:
http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/30223555/detail.html