Study
PLCO
(Learn more about this study)
Project ID
2012-0039
Initial CDAS Request Approval
Aug 2, 2012
Title
Caffeine Intake and Endometrial Cancer Risk in the PLCO Cohort
Summary
Based on 2010 estimates by the National Cancer Institute, endometrial cancer affects over 46,000 women per year and over 8,000 die from the disease. It is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States. Caffeine consumption has been associated with a lower risk of endometrial cancer; however, study results have been conflicting regarding the specific effects of coffee and tea. Two large prospective trials have shown an inverse relationship between coffee consumption and endometrial cancer risk. We would like to explore the effect of coffee and tea intake in the PLCO study stratified within known risk factors and other modifiers for endometrial cancer, including hormone replacement therapy, body mass index, and smoking status. The role of caffeine in endometrial cancer carcinogenesis is likely multifaceted. Phytoestrogens found in caffeine may play a role in the hormonally mediated pathways of carcinogenesis. The effect of caffeine to increase insulin resistance suggests a possible mechanism for an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Alternatively, polyphenolic compounds found at high levels in tea and coffee have been shown to inhibit carcinogenesis. We propose to analyze data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, looking at the relationship between consumption of tea and coffee and endometrial cancer. By stratifying on other known risk factors for endometrial cancer, we hope to evaluate the role of caffeine as a risk or protective factor for endometrial cancer. Based on previous studies, we hypothesize that caffeine intake will have an inverse relationship between endometrial cancer risk.
Aims
Specific aim 1. To determine if caffeine intake, in the form of tea or coffee, affects the overall risk of endometrial carcinoma among women in the PLCO Cohort. Hypothesis 1: Caffeine intake, in the form of tea or coffee, decreases the risk of endometrial cancer. Hypothesis 2: Caffeine intake, in the form of tea or coffee, increases the risk of endometrial cancer. Hypothesis 3: Caffeine intake, in the form of tea or coffee, has no effect on the risk of endometrial cancer. Specific aim 2. To determine if other known risk factors for endometrial cancer including hormone replacement therapy, obesity, and smoking, modifies the effect of caffeine intake on endometrial cancer risk.Hypothesis 1: Caffeine intake, in the form of tea or coffee, has the greatest risk reduction of endometrial cancer in obese women. Specific aim 3. To determine if caffeine intake affects survival after diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Hypothesis 1: Caffeine intake, in the form of tea or coffee, has a protective effect for survival after diagnosis with endometrial cancer. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Hypothesis 1: Caffeine intake, in the form of tea or coffee, has a protective effect for survival after diagnosis with endometrial cancer.
Collaborators
Zuo-Feng Zhang (UCLA, Epidemiology)
