Regular exercise, healthy eating habits and occasional cups of coffee can significantly cut the risk of womb cancer in women, researchers have found.
Womb cancer, also referred to as endometrial cancer, is a malignancy that occurs in the womb lining (endometrium) of a woman. According to the American Cancer Society, womb cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women afflicting nearly 50,000 women in the U.S. each year. The most common symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge coupled with pain in the lower abdomen during intercourse.
The latest findings suggest that at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight, i.e. being as lean as possible without getting underweight, can help cut the risk of womb cancer.
Coffee, too, can help slash the risk, but more research in the field is required. Current findings suggest that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee confer a protective effect against womb cancer. Review of 8 studies revealed that every cup of coffee consumed is linked with a 7 percent decrease in risk of developing womb cancer.
“The evidence on coffee is very interesting and is a further indication of the potential link between coffee and the risk of cancer but a lot more work still needs to be done,” World Cancer Research Fund Executive Director Karen Sadler said.
“The evidence that body fatness is a cause of endometrial cancer is convincing. Glycaemic load is probably a cause of endometrial cancer, and physical activity and coffee both probably protect against this cancer,” Elisa V. Bandera, associate professor from Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and panel member for the Continuous Update Project (CUP) said.
“While additional studies are needed, it is a safe bet that maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in regular physical activity will reduce endometrial cancer risk, as well as having many other health benefits.”
