Endometrial Cancer Update
A recent report from the World Cancer Research Fund (1) found that both obesity (body fatness) and a high glycemic diet increase your risk of endometrial cancer. A high glycemic diet (a diet containing foods that cause a quick spike in your blood sugar, like soda, desserts, breakfast cereals, chips, bagels, white rice, etc.) raises blood sugar levels and we know that cancer cells demonstrate a 3 to 5 fold increase in glucose uptake compared to healthy cells. The factors that reduced risk of endometrial cancer were physical activity (exercise) and drinking coffee. Yes, I know, coffee is a surprise, but this is one of many studies showing some positive benefit to drinking coffee, probably related to the some of the phytonutrients contained in coffee, like chlorogenic acid.
Endometrial cancer is the 6th most common cancer in women. Fortunately, endometrial cancer is frequently diagnosed at an early stage since there are often symptoms, so the 5 year survival rate is fairly high. In the US the 5 year survival rate is 69%. To prevent endometrial cancer, eat a low glycemic diet, exercise regularly, keep your weight down, and have a cup of java in the morning, without the cream and sugar!
