Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Ex Vivo Culture of Primary Human Fallopian Tube Epithelial Cells
Published on: May 9, 2011
Coffee, tea and caffeine and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer
Susan J Jordan1, David M Purdie, Adele C Green
1Queensland Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Brisbane Hospital, QLD 4029, Australia. susanJ@qimr.edu.au
Objective:
Studies evaluating the relationships between coffee, tea and caffeine and ovarian cancer risk have given inconsistent results. We have examined these associations using data from an Australian population-based case-control study.
Methods:
Women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) (n = 696) and control women selected from the Electoral Roll (n = 786) provided comprehensive reproductive and lifestyle data and completed a food frequency questionnaire.
Results:
Increasing coffee consumption was associated with a decreased risk of invasive EOC ( p trend = 0.009) with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.51 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32-0.80) for consumption of >/=4 cups of coffee per day compared to non-drinkers. The association was significant only for serous and endometrioid/clear cell histological subtypes. There was no association with borderline tumours (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.58-2.47). An inverse relationship was also seen between caffeine intake and EOC but tea consumption was not related to EOC (OR: 1.10 95% CI: 0.76-1.61 for >/=4 cups/day versus none).
Conclusions:
As tea contributed significantly to caffeine intake in this population we conclude that the association we observed with coffee is not due to caffeine, but to other components within coffee. We suggest future studies consider the type as well as the amount of each beverage consumed.
Related Concept Videos
Oogenesis
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Inhibition of CDK Activity
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...

