New research suggests drinking coffee could reduce the risk of the most common form of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
"Our research confirms past claims that coffee is good for your health, and particularly the liver," Carlo La Vecchia, MD, study author from the department of epidemiology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri," and department of clinical sciences and community health, Università degli Studi di Milan, Italy, said. "The favorable effect of coffee on liver cancer might be mediated by coffee's proven prevention of diabetes, a known risk factor for the disease, or for its beneficial effects on cirrhosis and liver enzymes."
Researchers looked at articles published from 1996 to Sept. 2012 that encompassed 16 studies and a total of 3,153 cases, an American Gastroenterological Association news release reported.
The results across all of the studies were fairly consistent, but the researchers are still not sure if there is a causal relationship between coffee drinking and HCC. There is a possibility that the connection was made because those suffering from HCC and other liver and digestive diseases often intentionally reduce their caffeine intake.
"It remains unclear whether coffee drinking has an additional role in liver cancer prevention," La Vecchia said. "But, in any case, such a role would be limited as compared to what is achievable through the current measures."
The risk of developing liver cancer can be reduced by getting hepatitis B virus vaccination, protection against hepatitis C, and reduced alcohol intake. These precautions could prevent 90 percent of all potential liver cancer cases worldwide.
Liver cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related death.
Symptoms of liver cancer include rapid weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes), and "white,chalky, stool," MayoClinic reported.
