New Studies Say Coffee May Lower Risk Of Colon Cancer, But This Oncologist Is Skeptical

Recent studies suggest even moderate consumption of coffee – one to four cups a day – may reduce the odds of colon cancer developing or recurring.

The data showed one to two servings of coffee a day associated with a 26 percent reduction in the odds of developing colon cancer. The risk decreased as much as 50 percent when participants drank more than 2.5 servings each day. The lower risk was seen across all types of coffee, both caffeinated and decaffeinated.

“I think this is all speculation,” said Dr. Kavitha Donthireddy. She’s an oncologist at Parkland Hospital and an assistant professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “They need to do a lot more research and come up with a reason. But I think if this is something that will pan out, that will be a great thing, because coffee makes you feel good."

Donthireddy enjoys coffee. She wouldn't recommend it specifically to fight colon cancer, but if any of her patients expressed concerns about drinking coffee, she'd say it’s fine, and maybe even beneficial.

Just don’t exceed four servings a day, Donthireddy says, or else face an additional set of problems.