Drinking Black or Green Tea will Reduce the Risk of Ovarian Cancer

December 12th 2005

New research shows that drinking just two cups of tea a day can lower the risk of developing ovarian cancer by almost 50 percent.  Previous research has shown that drinking tea can lower the risk of developing some cancers, but this new study indicates it can lower the risk of ovarian cancer by half.

The Swedish Mammography Cohort looked at 61,057 women who were between 40 and 76 years old.  At the beginning of the study 68 percent of the women said they drank tea at least once a month.  Most drank black tea. 

After 15 years there were 301 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  Forbes reports that Dr. Susanna C. Larsson said that “We found a lower risk of ovarian cancer associated with greater tea consumption."  Amazingly each additional cup of tea reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 18%. 

Even one cup a day cut the risk by 24 percent.  Even consumption of tea periodically may reduce the threat of ovarian cancer. The researchers suggest women start drinking tea.

Ovarian cancer is the forth leading cause of cancer death in women. Both green tea and black tea contain polyphenols.  These substances can block cell damage that can lead to cancer.  Both tea and coffee are rich in antioxidants. 

Over 20,000 women in the US are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year.  It will strike 1 in 58 women.  It is very difficult to detect early but the symptoms are abdominal bloating, indigestion and urinary urgency. 

According to the Associated Press, the study is “far-from-conclusive”.  But this s a minor lifestyle change and does not appear to have negative consequences.  The study appears in the Dec.12/26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine