Cancer

Questions patients ask

Q: Does coffee or caffeine cause cancer?

A: No. Many studies have looked at the potential link between drinking coffee and the risk of developing cancer. Overall, the scientific evidence suggests there is no link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer.

Q: Is coffee linked to any type of cancer?

A: Some studies have suggested a possible link between moderate coffee drinking and bladder and lung cancer risk. However, in both cases it is likely that additional lifestyle factors are involved in the potential link^1,2, such as drinking alcohol and tobacco smoking, and further research is needed to confirm these results. Overall, the scientific evidence suggests there is no link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer.

Q: Is it true that drinking coffee is linked to bladder cancer?

A: Some studies have shown an increased risk of developing bladder cancer in coffee drinkers, however this increased risk is related neither to the amount of coffee, nor how long an individual has been a coffee drinker. This suggests that coffee does not directly affect the risk of bladder cancer and that the increased risk is likely to be the result of other factors^{1, 3,4} such as drinking alcohol and tobacco smoking. Overall, the scientific evidence suggests there is no link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer.

Q: Does coffee or caffeine cause prostate cancer?

A: No, there is no evidence to suggest that drinking coffee is linked to an increased chance of developing prostate cancer⁵. Overall, the scientific evidence suggests there is no link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer.

Q: Is it true that drinking coffee is linked to lung cancer?

Some research has suggested that drinking more than five cups of coffee a day may increase the risk of developing lung cancer². However it is likely that any link between drinking coffee and developing lung cancer is the result of additional factors such as tobacco smoking². Further research is needed to confirm these results and overall, the scientific evidence suggests there is no link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer.

Q: Does coffee or caffeine cause breast cancer?

A: Research has found that drinking coffee does not increase the risk of developing breast cancer in post menopausal women^3,4,6,7. In premenopausal women, research suggests that drinking coffee may help to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer ^3,8,9. Overall, the scientific evidence suggests there is no link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer.

Q: Does coffee or caffeine cause bowel cancer?

A: No, in fact research has consistently shown that drinking coffee may help to reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer^{1,10,11,12,13}. Overall, the scientific evidence suggests there is no link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer.

Q: Does coffee or caffeine cause stomach cancer?

A: No, research has found no link between drinking coffee and developing stomach cancer¹⁴. Overall, the scientific evidence suggests there is no link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer.

Q: Why has some research suggested that coffee drinking is associated with an increased risk for certain cancers?

A: Such studies tend to be in the minority and are often inconclusive. There are also other factors that need to be considered, for example smoking is well known to be associated with increased cancer risk, and smokers are also more likely to be coffee drinkers, which may lead to an unfounded link between coffee and cancer. Overall, the scientific evidence suggests there is no link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer.

Q: Does the type of coffee I drink affect my risk of cancer?

A: Some research has shown a difference between decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee and the development of cancer. However, the results have been very variable and no reliable patterns have been established. Only one study to date has looked at the influence of coffee preparation (boiled vs. filtered)¹⁵ and further research is needed to draw any conclusions. Overall, the scientific evidence suggests there is no link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer.