Data suggests starch and sugar could raise a woman's risk of endometrial cancer, while coffee could protect them from it.
An American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and World Cancer Research Fund International report suggests obesity may be the leading cause of cancer, Today reported
"AICR now estimates that most cases of endometrial cancer (59 percent, or about 29,500 every year) could be prevented in the U.S. if women were active for at least 30 minutes a day and maintained a healthy body weight," the group said in a statement, Today reported.
Estrogen has been linked to the cancer in the past. Women who take hormones are often also prescribed progesterone in order to lower their risk of endometrial cancer. Fat cells are known to secrete estrogen.
"Women who are obese have two to three times the rate of endometrial cancer. People who are more active regularly tend to have a decreased rate of endometrial cancer," Elisa Bandera of Rutgers University, told Today. White starch was found to significantly raise the risk of this type of cancer.
"This is a complicated concept to explain," Bandera said.
"Foods that quickly convert to glucose, such as refined sugar or white flour, can raise glycemic load," Today reported.
"We used to say carbohydrates and now we know that not all carbohydrates are the same. The bottom line is you want to eat whole grains instead of refined grains and sugary foods," Bandera said. "All the findings are really pointing to the same thing - maintaining better glucose metabolism and maintaining a healthy body weight," she added. "That means a healthy diet and regular exercise."
On the bright side, coffee was found to significantly reduce the risk of endometrial cancer in women. This could be because it can regulate insulin, and is packed full of cancer-fighting antioxidants. The substance interferes with the chemical process that causes cancer by damaging DNA.
"We don't want to tell people to go ahead and drink as much coffee as you want," Bandera said. "Everything in moderation."
Symptoms of endometrial cancer include: post-menopausal vaginal bleeding, bleeding between menstrual cycles, bloody or abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during sex, and lower abdominal pain, Mayo Clinic reported.
