Study finds coffee may help battle colon
cancer
By Michael Lasalandra
Copyright 1999 Boston Herald
January 22, 1999
Maybe you should skip the bran muffin and have an extra cup of
coffee instead.
Now that it has been shown that eating a high-fiber diet
does not protect
against colon
cancer, some are looking to java as a way to prevent the deadly
disease.
Dr. Edward Giovannucci of the Harvard School of
Public Health published a study last year suggesting that the
risk of colorectal
cancer drops 24 percent among those who drink four or more cups of
coffee a day.
But before you go out and invest in a Starbucks franchise,
take note.
Giovannucci says the study is far from conclusive.
"I wouldn't tell people to go out and start drinking
coffee, although there
isn't much harm in it," he said.
Experts say the best
ways to prevent colorectal
cancer are still taking vitamins, staying in shape, taking an
aspirin a day, avoiding
red meat and getting regular screenings after age 50.
Giovannucci's paper, which reviewed all the literature on
the subject of coffee
and colorectal
cancer, appeared
in the American Journal of Epidemiology. But he downplayed its
importance.
"I'm not sure the 24 percent reduction in
risk is a
cause and effect association," he said.
"It would be important if it is real, but it is hard
to say in an
epidemiological study that there isn't a bias or
other factor that is accounting for this."
Giovannucci said the results were interesting enough to
warrant further study,
which is what Vanderbilt University in Nashville is planning to do.
Vanderbilt
is scheduled to open its Institute for Coffee Studies within the
next six
months, thanks to $6 million in funding from trade groups
in leading coffee-producing nations.
"We're going to help people get over the idea that
coffee is caffeine," said Vanderbilt's Peter Martin.
"Caffeine actually is a very small component of coffee. There
are many other
components that aren't well understood."
Some studies have suggested coffee can
help relieve depression, treat alcoholism and prevent colorectal
cancer. The institute's mission is to understand why.
Although it may not reduce the
risk of colon
cancer, eating lots of fruits, vegetables and cereals has been
shown to help prevent
diverticulitis, high blood pressure and heart disease. But
preventing
colorectal
cancer may require more technology-oriented strategies.
Dr. Francis Farraye, a gastroenterologist at Harvard
Vanguard Medical
Associates, says those over 50 should discuss colorectal screening
with their
doctors.
There are several methods, including an annual stool test;
a test in which
a scope is inserted into the lower third of the colon, once every
five years; a
barium enema, done every five to 10 years; or a more invasive test
in which a
scope is inserted into the entire colon, usually once every decade.
Comments on this posting?
Click here to
post a public comment on the Trash Talk
Bulletin Board.
Click here to send a private
comment to the Junkman.
Material presented on this home page constitutes opinion of
Steven J. Milloy.
Copyright © 1998 Citizens for the Integrity of
Science. All rights reserved on original material. Material
copyrighted by others is used either with permission or under a
claim of "fair
use." Site developed and hosted by WestLake
Solutions, Inc.