Coffee is making a serious comeback in the health world, as science uncovers all sorts of little-known health benefits associated with this popular morning ritual. And a fascinating research paper published in the British Journal of Cancer provides even more evidence that appears to support the cause, suggesting that coffee may actually help some women avoid breast cancer.

A cohort of 269 women participated in the study, which looked at breast cancer rates in conjunction with genetic predisposition and lifestyle habits. All of the women came from families with high rates of breast cancer, the authors note, but only half of them carried a gene known as CYP1A2*1F, which is associated with breast cancer as well as control of the metabolism and estrogen.

Researchers evaluated all the women using a questionnaire that looked at their overall coffee intake. The survey also looked at each of the women’s breast sizes, as CYP1A2*1F has been linked to high breast density. After comparing breast cancer rates through this data lens, they came to some interesting conclusions that support the idea that coffee might just be an anti-cancer elixir.

“For women who had CYP1A2*1F, those who drank 3 or more cups of coffee a day had smaller breasts than those who drank less coffee (average difference was about 150 mL),” reports Discover magazine’s Discoblog. Smaller breast size has previously been linked to decreased risk of breast cancer.

On the flip side, women without the CYP1A2*1F gene experienced the opposite effect, at least as far as the data is concerned:

“However, for women who did not have the gene, drinking more than 3 cups of coffee was actually associated with slightly larger breast size (average difference was about 50 mL),” the study notes.

“The researchers do not have an explanation for the correlation between coffee and breast size. They only conclude that because coffee was correlated with smaller breast size, it supports earlier studies that suggest coffee protects against breast cancer.”

Coffee might be helpful in some ways, but don’t go crazy

Does this mean that women who drink several cups of coffee daily will experience sudden and noticeable changes in breast size? Not exactly. As also reported on the Discoblog, the observed variations in breast size based on coffee consumption were mere correlations, meaning other factors may be to blame.

Cross-sectional studies such as this one evaluate data at one point in time rather than over a period of time. This means that they don’t even come close to establishing a causal relationship between two factors, even when all signs point to such a connection. The study also failed to account for other factors that may have influenced the results.

“Though the researchers controlled for some factors such as smoking and BMI, there are many others that could’ve affected the results,” explains Nina Bai for Discoblog. “It’s likely that a woman who drinks 3+ cups of coffee a day would have a different lifestyle than a woman who doesn’t drink coffee.

“The researchers also point out that breast volume is not the same as breast density, but they chose to measure breast volume because it was easier.”

In other words, the takeaway here isn’t necessarily that coffee will either shrink or expand a woman’s breasts. On the contrary, it suggests that coffee may influence the expression of the CYP1A2*1F gene in such a way as to curb the formation of breast cancer, which is obviously more important than worrying about cup size.

Just be careful, though – one study found that coffee drinkers with the CYP1A2*1F variant may also have an increased risk of myocardial infarction. A good rule of thumb is to remember that moderation is key when it comes to coffee consumption.

Sources for this article include:

DavidWolfe.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

The traditional breast self-exam (BSE) has shifted toward a newer concept called “breast self-awareness.” BSE is performed in a systematic way on a regular basis, typically monthly. Breast self-awareness, on the other hand, is women understanding the normal appearance and feel of their breasts, but without a specific interval or systematic examination technique. The College endorses educating women ages 20 and older regarding breast self-awareness.

The goal here is for women to be alert to any changes, no matter how small, in their breasts, and report them to their doctor.

If a woman chooses to continue doing BSE systematically then that is considered still OK.

Four parts of breast self-awareness:

1. Know your risk
   • Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
   • Talk to your provider about your personal risk of breast cancer, are you at average OR increased risk?
2. 2. Get screened
   • Talk with your doctor about which screening tests are right for you. This will depend on whether you are Average Risk OR Higher Risk.
   • Have a Screening Mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk. For women who have dense breasts (look at your old mammogram reports) then it is better to have a 3 D mammogram called tomosynthesis. Talk to your doctor to determine what tests are best for you.
   • Have a breast exam by a clinician at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40
3. Know what is normal for you – See your health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes:
   • Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
   • Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
   • Change in the size or shape of the breast
   • Dimpling or puckering of the skin
   • Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
   • Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
   • Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
   • New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away
4. Make healthy lifestyle choices– reduce your risk of breast cancer
   • Maintain a healthy weight
   • Exercise
   • Limit alcohol intake
   • Limit use of medications associated with increased cancer risk
   • Breastfeed if you can