June 2012: New Research Suggests Coffee May Decrease The Risk Of The Most Common Form of Skin Cancer

New data published in Cancer Research with over 112,897 participants suggests that coffee consumption can decrease the risk of developing the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.¹

Additionally the study found that there was no association with a risk of other forms of skin cancer, including melanoma.¹

These results are important as:

• Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer in the UK and Europe²
• There are 100,000 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the UK each year³ 

Dr Euan Paul, Executive Director of the British Coffee Association, commented, “This study adds to the growing scientific data that suggests moderate coffee consumption, 4 – 5 cups of coffee per day, is associated with health benefits. Previous research highlights that coffee is associated with a decreased risk of other conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and even type 2 diabetes, so the findings of this new study are very encouraging. We welcome further research to further clarify these findings.”  

As advised by the NHS, pregnant women should moderate their intake of caffeine to 200mg per day from all sources.⁴ 

References

1. Cancer Research, Coffee Consumption Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Most Common Form of Skin Cancer, July 2012
2. British Journal of Dermatology 2008 159, pp35–48  - Guidelines for the management of basal cell carcinoma. DOI 10.1111/ j.1365-2133.2008.08666.x
3. Patient UK. Website accessed at: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Cancer-of-the-Skin-Melanoma.htm
4. NHS Choices, http://www.nhs.uk/Planners/pregnancycareplanner/pages/Healthinpregnancyhome.aspx accessed June 2012