From The Straits Times    |

Ward off skin cancer with a coffee and a jogWorried about developing skin cancer? After downing a cup of strong cup of coffee, go for a brisk run.

At least, that’s the suggestion from a new study presented at a major medical conference in Chicago this week.

Researchers said that the combination of caffeine and exercise could protect against sun-related skin cancer.

In their animal studies, a team of US scientists observed the effects of caffeine and exercise on mice that were at high risk for developing skin cancer.

Those given a dose of caffeine and that exercised with a running wheel experienced 62 percent fewer skin tumors. Volume of tumors also decreased by 85 percent compared to the control mice.

The reason? Researchers believe that the caffeine and exercise combo reduces inflammation, a precursor to developing skin cancer.

Similarly, when mice were fed caffeine and put on the running wheel, the dual effect also produced better weight loss results compared to one treatment alone.

The latest findings, presented at the annual meeting for the American Association for Cancer Research this week, build on the team’s previous research which found that caffeine guards against skin cancer at the molecular level by inhibiting a protein enzyme in the skin called ATR.

Meanwhile, another study published last year in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute also found that shift work may be associated with a reduced risk of skin cancer in women due to the suppression of melatonin. — AFP RELAXNEWS