Caffeine reduces cancer tumors?
This morning I was asked whether caffeine really helped to prevent skin cancers.
Well, maybe…
There have been several studies on the subject prompting discussion about whether adding caffeine to sunscreens could boost protection against the most common forms of skin cancer.
In 2002 a study reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science showed that mice exposed to ultraviolet radiation who then had caffeine applied directly to the skin experienced a change in cancerous tumors. Cancerous tumors were reduced by 72% and non-cancerous tumors by 44%. The study did NOT address the most serious form of skin cancer – melanoma.
The study leader, Dr. Allan H. Conney, told WebMD that much more work needs to be done and that he is pretty sure that just drinking more tea or coffee to prevent cancer is not a good idea.
Another study several years later went on to try and explain why the caffeine had such a profound effect on the tumors. This study was then reported in the February 26, 2009 Journal of Investigative Dermatology. It found caffeine has an effect on those cells which can go on to form non-melanoma skin cancers. Apparently the stimulant encourages the damaged cells to die. Dr. Paul Nghiem, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Washington in Seattle and the team leader, said in an interview with US News that “We have found what we believe is the mechanism by which caffeine is associated with decreased skin cancer.” The authors of the study wrote: “These data suggest topical application of caffeine, perhaps in a sunscreen or after-sun preparation, could be investigated as an approach to minimize or reverse the effects of UV damage in human skin.”
There is some skepticism. The report was reviewed by doctors at the Skin Cancer Foundation who assert it will take years of research before a definitive link between the two (caffeine and decreased skin cancer) is established.
Clearly, much more work needs to be done, but it is wonderfully encouraging that researchers may find something as simple as the coffee bean to help fight skin cancer.
In the meantime, continue to follow the five simple steps for skin cancer prevention and detection in SunAWARE.
Be SunAWARE. Be Safe.
