Coffee, tea, caffeine, and risk of non-melanoma skin cancer in a Chinese population: The Singapore Chinese Health Study

Publication date: Available online 5 February 2019

Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Author(s): Choon Chiat Oh, Aizhen Jin, Jian-Min Yuan, Woon-Puay Koh

Abstract

Background

While epidemiological studies in populations of European-descent suggest possible chemo-protective effect of caffeine against non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), data in Asian populations are lacking.

Objectives

We examined the relations between coffee, tea and caffeine consumption, and NMSC risk among Chinese in Singapore.

Methods

We used data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a prospective cohort of 63,257 men and women aged 45–74 years at recruitment from 1993 to 1998. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

Coffee drinking was associated with reduced NMSC risk in a dose-dependent manner (P trend<0.0001); compared with those who drank coffee less than weekly, in those who drank ≥3 cups/day, HRs (95% CIs) were 0.54 (0.31-0.93) for risk of basal cell carcinoma, and 0.33 (0.13-0.84) for risk of squamous cell carcinoma. Compared with non-drinkers, daily drinkers of black tea also had reduced NMSC risk (HR=0.70; 95% CI=0.52-0.94). Caffeine intake reduced NMSC risk in a stepwise manner (P trend=0.0025); subjects with caffeine intake ≥400 mg/day had the lowest risk (HR=0.59; 95% CI=0.34-1.04).

Conclusion

Consumption of caffeinated drinks such as coffee and black tea may reduce the risk of NMSC among Chinese.

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