Green Tea Isn't Useless

The study said inconclusive and when compared to one (1) cup or ten (10) there did not appear to be a difference in the number of cases of breast cancer among Japanese women. Our question is that there are items in tea green or otherwise that has been shown in studies to be useful in the fight against cancer. Our question to the researchers is when has green tea been considered the only tool you'd need in the fight against breast cancer?

"Green tea drinking and subsequent risk of breast cancer in a population to based cohort of Japanese women - Although many in-vitro and animal studies have demonstrated a protective effect of green tea against breast cancer, findings from epidemiological studies have been inconsistent, and whether high green tea intake reduces the risk of breast cancer remains unclear. ...In this population-based prospective cohort study in Japan we found no association between green tea drinking and risk of breast cancer." Breast Cancer Research (October 28, 2010)

Essentially this study reflects the data found in the smaller 2009 study presented at the Experimental Biology 2008 conference in San Diego California. Since we don't have access to the full details of the research we're speculating based on the introduction and conclusion presented. What would make the information from the research more persuasive would be if attention was made and presented that disproved the results of the 2008 study.

"Effects of a Green Tea Intervention on Anthropometrics, Intake, and Glucose Levels in Breast Cancer Survivors ...results suggest that daily intake of 4 cups green tea did not significantly change anthropometrics or glucose in overweight breast cancer survivors, although these markers did move in a favorable direction. Future studies should include higher EGCG exposure and a larger sample size of breast cancer survivors who demonstrate insulin resistance at the time of study entry." Experimental Biology 2008 (April 2008)

While the 2008 researchers focused on a specific type of survivors (overweight). They also used half as much tea than the current study which ignored the leading indicators of the specific that might have impacted on those who might wish to survive breast cancer and focused on all women. The current research ignored the disease and focused specifically on all the women and not those impacted. We should be happy because our focus has been on ways to prevent cancer. Protecting PearlieMae from the ravages of the disease to which she succumbed.

The antioxidant found in green tea EGCG worked in female mice but not in female women has been found to be effective. Again we only have the abstract to go on then and now. At the same Experimental Biology conference evidence was presented to that conclusion.

"Oral Administration of EGCG, an Antioxidant Found in Green Tea, Inhibits Tumor Angiogenesis and Growth of Breast Cancer in Female Mice ...(mouse breast cancer) cells were injected in 4th mammary gland of the mice. Tumor size was monitored by measuring tumor cross section area (TCSA)." - Experimental Biology 2008 (April 2008)

This wasn't a case where mice were just observed and some were given EGCG and some were not. These mice were cancer infected and then treated with the EGCG and were compared to those not so lucky. Rather than focusing on the actual working part of the green tea the research focused on the tea itself. For us that's the flaw in the study. Not that we're always consistent in our support for the chemical over the naturals. Except in this case we have to go with the chemical.

"Green Tea and Its Catechins Inhibit Breast Cancer Xenografts - A major shortcoming of the vast majority of the antiangiogenic drugs is the fact that they require intravenous or subcutaneous administration. This is particularly problematic, since antiangiogenic drugs need to be given on a long-term basis to control cancer growth. Furthermore, many of these agents are complex peptides that are difficult and expensive to produce in the quantities and purities required for human use. Thus an antiangiogenic drug that can be administered orally and inexpensively, such as green tea, would be clinically very useful." - Nutrition and Cancer (November 2009)

The Nutrition and Cancer research conclusion is why we support tea in the prevention of cancer. We're not big supporters of green tea but EGCG and possibility of either treating or preventing cancer. The future is still not predetermined by the very large study results (53,793 women during 13.6 years) over such a large period. We believe in the possibility in spite of the results. We're hanging our hopes on this statement in their conclusion: "We also found no association of oolong tea, black tea, coffee and canned coffee intake with breast cancer risk."

It's weak we know - about like a cup of green tea. It's still something to hang our hopes upon. We found the full study results in the PDF. "Although we found no association, we cannot deny the possibility that changes in green tea intake during the follow-up period influenced the findings, particularly considering that the questionnaires used in the baseline and five-year follow-up surveys were different." See were not totally delusional. There are flaws in the study and we're going to exploit them.