
Coffee. Many of us drink it every morning, or pick it up on our lunch break at a local cafe'. Due to its popularity, research on coffee's effects on the body has made for media fodder for years, continually battling the "Is it good or is it bad?" question.
Recently, coffee yet again made the news with new research in correlation to skin cancer. This time, it was due to a report published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that found daily coffee consumption may provide protection against malignant melanoma (skin cancer). The findings made the press last Tuesday, and the news took to the story, rousing questions, concerns, and even complaints within the skin cancer community.
Articles were posted online throughout a number of websites, including The New York Times and were therefore shared multiple times on social media. Many comments posted in response were filled with both excitement and resentment, the latter being more prevalent. In fact, the article got so much attention that the Skin Cancer Foundation released a statement, clearing up much of what had been sensationalized.
It is a good point to always reiterate that many variables can attribute to studies that claim causes in relation to cancer. Something as simple as coffee, a daily habit for many, can leave minds thinking "what if" and "why didn't it work for me?" so it is important to do your own research on these topics.
So many factors can alter these studies and the best advice is to continue to practice safe sun protection. Remember to take prevention measures when spending time outside, such as wearing UV protective clothing and using sunscreen.