In an epidemiologic study by Yang et al, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, almost 70,000 Chinese women, aged between 40-70, were assessed according to their green tea-drinking habits, and followed for 6 years. Researchers assessed their risk for colorectal cancer.

A significant dose-response relationship was found for both the amount of tea consumed and duration in years of lifetime tea consumption–meaning the more tea consumed, the lower the risk of cancer. The reduction in risk was most evident among those who consistently reported to drink tea regularly. The inverse association with regular tea drinking was observed for both colon and rectal cancers–meaning lower tea consumption meant higher risk of colorectal cancers.

This study suggests that regular consumption of green tea may reduce  risk in women.

In a separate study, the researchers also found a lower risk of colorectal cancer in non-smoking men who drank green tea.