This article from the Herald Sun in Australian describes a recent study on tea and ovarian cancer. It seems tea drinkers may have a lower risk of getting ovarian cancer. Yet another reason to enjoy tea!
Drinking tea 'cuts ovarian cancer risk'
WOMEN have another reason to enjoy a daily cuppa, as an Australian study shows drinking tea can cut the risk of ovarian cancer.
The Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) studied the food and lifestyle habits of about 2700 women, half of whom had a history of ovarian cancer.
Total tea intake emerged as the key difference between the groups, a result that adds to a growing body of evidence which has suggested the household staple can play a role in warding off cancer.
"The main finding of the study was that women who drank four or more cups of tea per day - and that was any type of tea, black, green or herbal - may have a reduced risk of ovarian cancer by 30 per cent," said QIMR's Dr Christina Nagle.
Dr Nagle said the study found tea was broadly beneficial, and there was no added benefit from drinking green tea despite it being promoted as the "healthiest kind of tea".
"Tea is rich in antioxidants, which are an important part of a healthy diet," Dr Nagle said.
"We assume it is the antioxidants in tea that are beneficial in terms of reducing risk of cancer."
Despite the positive results Dr Nagle said it was too early to place tea consumption alongside smoking and sun exposure, two key factors in a person's overall risk of developing cancer.
Studies on animals have suggested tea could inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer cells, she said, though experiments designed to test the effect on humans had produced mixed results.
"Many studies show a beneficial effect of drinking tea, in terms of reducing the risk of different types of cancer," Dr Nagle said.
"But it seems to be that in studies in humans it is inconsistent ... I think the jury is still out."
Almost 1200 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year, while the disease claims about 800 lives.
Dr Nagle's research is published in the journal Cancer Causes Control.







