Coffee and tea don't raise breast cancer risk

Coffee and tea consumption doesn't seem to raise the risk of breast cancer. Coffee, tea and other caffeinated drinks have often been attributed as the cause of developing breast cancer. But no study has been able to substantiate this so far. To evaluate whether high intake of caffeine is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, American researchers assessed coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption among 85,987 women, aged between 30 and 55 years at the start of the study. Over 22 years of follow up, 5,272 women developed breast cancer. Factors potentially associated with breast cancer risk, such as age, smoking status, body mass, physical activity, alcohol intake, family history, menopausal status, history of hormone therapy, and number of children was taken into account. The researchers found no elevated risk of breast cancer among women who reported drinking four or more cups of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee or tea per day, compared with those who drank less than one cup daily. Moreover, no apparent association between the occurrence of breast cancer and intakes of other caffeinated soft drinks and chocolate was found. Nevertheless, the researchers noted a weak inverse association between caffeine-containing beverages and the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. This relation, however, needs to be examined further. The overall findings suggest no association between coffee (caffeinated or decaffeinated) and tea consumption and the risk of breast cancer. So, women can enjoy their coffee and tea in moderation, without worrying about the risk of developing breast cancer.