Three Cups of Coffee a Day Boost Survival and Sharply Cut Recurrence Risk in Colon Cancer Patients

[The Financial News] A new study has found that coffee consumption can help improve survival in colorectal cancer patients and reduce the risk of recurrence.
On the 27th, Daejeon University Seoul Korean Medicine Hospital announced that a research team led by Professor Cho Chong-Kwan at the East West Cancer Center had reported findings on the link between coffee intake and long-term outcomes in colorectal cancer patients. The study followed 5,442 patients with colorectal cancer and found that their prognosis improved as daily coffee consumption increased.
According to the results, each additional cup of coffee per day was associated with about a 4% reduction in the risk of death or recurrence. Drinking three cups a day was linked to roughly a 12% lower risk. The beneficial effect of coffee was most pronounced in patients with stage III colorectal cancer, where the risk of death fell by more than 40%.
The researchers also observed that not only regular coffee but decaffeinated coffee as well was associated with better survival and a lower risk of recurrence. They explained that this suggests coffee’s benefits are not due to caffeine alone, but likely come from the combined action of various bioactive compounds contained in coffee.
Professor Cho Chong-Kwan’s team stated, "We have provided evidence that can be used as a reference for long-term survival management and lifestyle guidance in colorectal cancer patients," adding, "Further studies are needed to confirm a causal relationship between coffee consumption and outcomes in colorectal cancer patients."
This study, conducted with the participation of Daejeon University (DJU) Professor Chang-Gue Son and resident physician Kim Jun-yeol, was published online in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (CEBP), the official journal issued by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter