There may be a connection between caffeine consumption and breast cancer risk, but experimental results are not consistent.

Factors such as brewing methods and other preparation techniques contribute to the mixed research outcomes.

About one in eight women will be diagnosed withbreast cancerat some point in their lifetime.

woman holding cup of coffee

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However, more research is needed to fully understand the connection.

However, drinking 4 cups of coffee per day was associated with a 10% reduction for postmenopausal women.

Conflicting conclusions only indicate how much more there is to know about this topic.

When broken down by preparation methods, however, there were significant differences.

In contrast, those who drank instant coffee were 50% more likely to develop the disease.

Preparation techniques used for green tea and coffee can affect phytonutrients as well ascarcinogens (cancer-causing agents).

Caffeine has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions.

Antioxidants counteractoxidationa chemical process that leads to cancer and heart disease.

Inflammation worsens many different diseases, including cancer.

Can Caffeine Affect Breast Cancer Outcomes?

Should I Start or Stop Drinking Coffee?

There is no need to start drinking coffee or tea if you don’t already enjoy these beverages.

There are many other variables that have a stronger influence on breast cancer than caffeine does.

These include getting cancer treatment, not smoking, eating healthy, staying hydrated, and getting enough exercise.

There are also other ways that caffeine may impact the body, specifically the breasts.

Some women also worry about the relationship between caffeine and breast cyst development.

Caffeine does not cause breast cysts.

However, beyond its potential influence on cancer risk, caffeine may affect breast pain.

For instance, some women withfibrocystic breast tissuenotice that when they avoid caffeinated products, their breast symptoms improve.

This could be related to caffeine’s tendency to heighten symptom awareness, which can increase pain sensitivity.

It also may help with headaches, evenmigraines.

However, people with certain health conditions likehigh blood pressuremay want to ease up on the caffeine.

2018 Jan 23;10(2).

2020 Apr 1;21(7):2443. doi: 10.3390/ijms21072443.

PMID: 32244616; PMCID: PMC7177700.

2015;24(8):1174-1183. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-15-0246