Coffee May Lower Prostate Cancer Risk

Drinking lots of coffee might help to protect men from the most dangerous form of prostate cancer, new research suggests. The study focused on 48,000 men in a study of health professionals. Researchers asked about their coffee drinking habits. The study lasted 20 years. In that time, more than 5,000 men developed prostate cancer. Of those, 672 died of the disease or had cancer that spread beyond the prostate. Men who drank at least 6 cups of coffee daily had a 60% lower risk of these dangerous cancers. The risk was 30% lower for men who drank 1 to 3 cups a day. Only about 5% of the men drank 6 or more cups a day. Caffeine was not a factor. Cancer rates were similar whether the men drank regular or decaf. Coffee contains antioxidants, which could fight cancer. It also may help the body make better use of insulin.