A study of over 1000 colon cancer patients, all stage III and treated with surgery and chemotherapy, who drank more than FOUR cups of coffee a day (over 460 milligrams of caffeine)were 42% less likely to see their cancer return than non-coffee drinkers and 33% less likely to die from cancer or any other cause.
The effect of coffee was dose-dependent, increasing as more of the beverage was consumed. Two to three cups a day produced a more modest benefit, while one cup or less offered little protection.
Lead scientist Dr. Charles S. Fuchs, director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in America, said: "We found that coffee drinkers had a lower risk of the cancer coming back and a significantly greater survival and chance of a cure."
Ref: http://www.dana-farber.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/Drinking-coffee-daily-may-improve-survival-in-colon-cancer-patients.aspx