An updated pooled analysis of 9,548 head and neck cancer cases and 15,783 controls, conducted by the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium, revealed significant associations between beverage consumption and cancer risk, adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.
Caffeinated Coffee
Heavy coffee drinkers (over 4 cups daily) showed a reduced risk of overall head and neck cancer (HNC), oral cavity cancer, and oropharyngeal cancers. Moderate consumption (3 to 4 cups daily) was associated with a 41% lower risk of hypopharyngeal cancer. A dose-response relationship was observed across all HNC subsites. Stratified analyses showed consistent inverse associations across demographic and lifestyle factors.
Decaffeinated Coffee
Daily decaffeinated coffee consumption of over zero but less than one cup per day demonstrated the strongest protective effect. No significant associations emerged between decaffeinated coffee and laryngeal cancer risk.
Tea
Tea drinkers showed a reduced risk of hypopharyngeal cancer. Light consumption of over zero but less than or equal to one cup daily was inversely associated with overall HNC and hypopharyngeal cancer. However, higher consumption of over one cup daily increased laryngeal cancer risk, according to research published in Cancer.
Study Limitations
Key limitations included potential recall bias and beverage consumption misclassification in the case-control design. Questionnaire methods varied between studies, with some using food frequency questionnaires and others using recall questions. Geographic concentration in North America and Europe limits generalizability. The analysis couldn't account for beverage temperature, concentration, or preparation methods.
Future Research
The authors recommend investigating coffee and tea effects in low- and middle-income countries with higher HNC burdens, exploring variations in processing methods and concentrations, and examining decaffeinated and herbal tea consumption patterns.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. This work was supported by multiple research grants, including funding from the National Cancer Institute.
