Nurse researchers at a prestigious medical school recently found a connection between coffee consumption and a lowered risk for skin cancer. According to the study, the caffeine found in coffee reduces the chance of developing basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common form of skin cancer in the United States.
Jilai Han, one of the lead researchers, said that even though the study shows the benefits of the caffeinated beverage, drinkers should not necessarily increase their daily intake.
"Our data indicated that the more caffeinated coffee you consume, the lower your risk of developing basal cell carcinoma," she said. "These results really suggest that it is the caffeine in coffee that is responsible for the decreased risk of basal cell carcinoma associated with increasing coffee consumption."
Han and her colleagues reached their conclusion by studying the development of BCC in about 110,000 patients over the course of 20 years.
Because the benefits of coffee range substantially, nurses should encourage their patients to practice moderation in the consumption of the beverage as well as provide guidance to maintain a healthy diet.
Jilai Han, one of the lead researchers, said that even though the study shows the benefits of the caffeinated beverage, drinkers should not necessarily increase their daily intake.
"Our data indicated that the more caffeinated coffee you consume, the lower your risk of developing basal cell carcinoma," she said. "These results really suggest that it is the caffeine in coffee that is responsible for the decreased risk of basal cell carcinoma associated with increasing coffee consumption."
Han and her colleagues reached their conclusion by studying the development of BCC in about 110,000 patients over the course of 20 years.
Because the benefits of coffee range substantially, nurses should encourage their patients to practice moderation in the consumption of the beverage as well as provide guidance to maintain a healthy diet.
