DRINKING TEA LINKED TO LOWER RISK OF BILIARY TRACT CANCERS.

“Biliary tract cancers, encompassing tumors of the gallbladder, extrahepatic bile ducts and ampulla of Vater, are rare but highly fatal malignancies,” Dr. Ann W. Hsing, of the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and colleagues write in the June issue of the International Journal of Cancer. “Several epidemiologic studies have suggested that consumption of tea, especially green tea, is protective against a variety of cancers, including gastrointestinal malignancies.” Results of the study conducted in China indicate that drinking tea reduces the risk of biliary tract cancers and biliary stones, especially among women. Dr. Hsing’s team explains that the antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties of tea polyphenols, in particular epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), may be the mechanism by which tea protects against biliary tract cancer. (Medscape, 07/07/06)