Green Tea or EGCG for Cancer

Green Tea or EGCG for Cancer: What It Is and How It May Help

Authors

Nancy Hepp, MS

past Lead Researcher

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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS past Lead Researcher

Maria Williams

Research and Communications Consultant

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Maria Williams is a research and communications consultant who brings over 15 years’ experience in research, consumer education, and science communication to CancerChoices. She has worked primarily in public health and environmental health.

Maria Williams Research and Communications Consultant

Clinical reviewer

Andrew Jackson, ND

Research Associate

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Andrew Jackson, ND, serves as a CancerChoices research associate. As a naturopathic physician practicing in Kirkland, Washington, he teaches critical evaluation of the medical literture at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. His great appreciation of scientific inquiry and the scientific process has led him to view research with a critical eye.

Andrew Jackson, ND Research Associate

Last update: June 30, 2026

Green tea or EGCG for cancer: what you need to know

• Green tea is widely available as a beverage, supplements, and topical formulations
• Green tea contains bioactive polyphenol compounds; the primary one is EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate)
• Many studies suggest that green tea may reduce risk for certain cancers, plus support your body terrain by reducing body weight, blood sugar, and oxidative stress
• Preliminary studies suggest that green tea may help manage cancer side effects including digestive symptoms and radiation-induced dermatitis
• This is not a standalone treatment for cancer; it is a complementary therapy used alongside standard medical care to support treatment and/or well-being.

What is green tea or EGCG?

Compared to other teas, green tea contains the highest amount of bioactive compounds that belong to the polyphenol group.¹Mokbel K, Mokbel K. Chemoprevention of breast cancer with vitamins and micronutrients: a concise review. In Vivo. 2019 Jul-Aug;33(4):983-997; Dufresne CJ, Farnworth ER. A review of latest research findings on the health promotion properties of tea. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2001 Jul;12(7):404-421. The primary active polyphenol in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), but other compounds are also active. Green tea is widely available as a beverage, and supplements and topical formulations containing green tea or green tea extracts are also available. 

The strongest evidence of benefit from drinking green tea or taking green tea extracts relates to improving body terrain factors, especially body weight, high blood sugar and oxidative stress. Each of these factors has known connections to cancer development and growth. Green tea and its extracts are also linked to lower risk of many types of cancer. Green tea or extracts may also help manage side effects and symptoms including fatigue,  gastrointestinal symptoms, and radiation-induced dermatitis.

Some safety concerns are noted. Supervision by a medical professional is essential when using green tea, especially during cancer treatment. 

Safety

• Supervision by a medical professional is essential
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women and people sensitive to caffeine should use caution with green tea and green tea supplements
• Known interactions, including with some cancer treatments; consult with your healthcare provider before adding to your regimen

See full safety details, side effects & drug interactions →

How green tea or EGCG may help people with cancer

Strength of evidence rating

We rate the strength of the evidence with 0=no evidence, 1=weak evidence, 2=modest evidence, and 3=good evidence. Read more about our method in detail here ›

Optimizing your body terrain

Evidence across many studies (not specific to those with cancer) suggests that people who drink green tea or beverages containing green tea catechins, or take green tea extracts, have lower body weight,¹⁷Neyestani TR, Nikooyeh B. A comprehensive overview on the effects of green tea on anthropometric measures, blood pressure, glycemic and lipidemic status: An umbrella review and meta meta-analysis study. Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases. 2022 Sep;32(9):2026-2040; Hibi M, Takase H, Iwasaki M, Osaki N, Katsuragi Y. Efficacy of tea catechin-rich beverages to reduce abdominal adiposity and metabolic syndrome risks in obese and overweight subjects: a pooled analysis of 6 human trials. Nutrition Research. 2018 Jul;55:1-10; Shen W, Pan Y et al. Effects of tea consumption on anthropometric parameters, metabolic indexes and hormone levels of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Endocrinology (Lausanne). 2021 Dec 13;12:736867; Baladia E, Basulto J, Manera M, Martínez R, Calbet D. Efecto del consumo de té verde o extractos de té verde en el peso y en la composición corporal; revisión sistemática y metaanálisis [Effect of green tea or green tea extract consumption on body weight and body composition; systematic review and meta-analysis]. Nutr Hosp. 2014 Mar 1;29(3):479-90. Spanish; Basu A, Sanchez K et al. Green tea supplementation affects body weight, lipids, and lipid peroxidation in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2010 Feb;29(1):31-40; Hursel R, Viechtbauer W, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Obesity (Lond). 2009 Sep;33(9):956-61; Payab M, Hasani-Ranjbar S et al. Effect of the herbal medicines in obesity and metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytotherapy Research. 2020 Mar;34(3):526-545; Suliburska J, Bogdanski P et al. Effects of green tea supplementation on elements, total antioxidants, lipids, and glucose values in the serum of obese patients. Biological Trace Element Research. 2012 Dec;149(3):315-22. and lower blood sugar,¹⁸Neyestani TR, Nikooyeh B. A comprehensive overview on the effects of green tea on anthropometric measures, blood pressure, glycemic and lipidemic status: an umbrella review and meta meta-analysis study. Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases. 2022 Sep;32(9):2026-2040; Kondo Y, Goto A et al. Effects of coffee and tea consumption on glucose metabolism: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2018 Dec 27;11(1):48. though evidence on effects on insulin levels is mixed.¹⁹Shen W, Pan Y et al. Effects of tea consumption on anthropometric parameters, metabolic indexes and hormone levels of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Endocrinology (Lausanne). 2021 Dec 13;12:736867; Yu J, Song P, Perry R, Penfold C, Cooper AR. The effectiveness of green tea or green tea extract on insulin resistance and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal. 2017 Aug;41(4):251-262. Obese women treated with green tea extract showed lower levels of ghrelin—the “hunger hormone”—in one study.²⁰Hsu CH, Tsai TH et al. Effect of green tea extract on obese women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition. 2008 Jun;27(3):363-70.

Studies have found lower levels of some markers of inflammation among people with prostate or stomach cancer drinking green tea,²¹Henning SM, Wang P et al. Randomized clinical trial of brewed green and black tea in men with prostate cancer prior to prostatectomy. Prostate. 2015 Apr 1;75(5):550-9; Liu D, Jing X et al. Impact of drinking Chinese green tea on postoperative short outcomes for gastric cancer: a randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2021 Nov;75(11):1568-1577. as well as among people with type 2 diabetes drinking green tea,²²Asbaghi O, Fouladvand F et al. The effect of green tea on C-reactive protein and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2019 Oct;46:210-216. though one study on people who had undergone complete removal of colorectal adenomas (precancerous polyps) showed no effect on an inflammatory marker from treatment with green tea extract.²³Shin CM, Lee DH et al. Green tea extracts for the prevention of metachronous colorectal polyps among patients who underwent endoscopic removal of colorectal adenomas: a randomized clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition. 2018 Apr;37(2):452-458.

A couple studies have found higher markers of immune activation among people, including elderly people with acute myeloid leukemia, treated with green tea extracts or capsules,²⁴Calgarotto AK, Longhini AL et al. Immunomodulatory effect of green tea treatment in combination with low-dose chemotherapy in elderly acute myeloid leukemia patients with myelodysplasia-related changes. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2021 Jan-Dec;20:15347354211002647; Rowe CA, Nantz MP, Bukowski JF, Percival SS. Specific formulation of Camellia sinensis prevents cold and flu symptoms and enhances gamma,delta T cell function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2007 Oct;26(5):445-52. though no effect was seen on markers of immune activation after surgery (gastrectomy) among people with stomach cancer drinking green tea.²⁵Liu D, Jing X et al. Impact of drinking Chinese green tea on postoperative short outcomes for gastric cancer: a randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2021 Nov;75(11):1568-1577. Increased immune system activation is not always beneficial, so your oncology team needs to determine whether immune activation would be favorable in your situation.

Many studies suggest that green tea and green tea supplements may reduce oxidative stress.²⁶Henning SM, Wang P et al. Randomized clinical trial of brewed green and black tea in men with prostate cancer prior to prostatectomy. Prostate. 2015 Apr 1;75(5):550-9; Basu A, Sanchez K et al. Green tea supplementation affects body weight, lipids, and lipid peroxidation in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2010 Feb;29(1):31-40; Basu A, Betts NM et al. Green tea supplementation increases glutathione and plasma antioxidant capacity in adults with the metabolic syndrome. Nutrition Research. 2013 Mar;33(3):180-7; Nguyen MM, Ahmann FR et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Polyphenon E in prostate cancer patients before prostatectomy: evaluation of potential chemopreventive activities. Cancer Prevention Research (Philadelphia). 2012 Feb;5(2):290-8; Baba Y, Sonoda JI et al. Reduction of oxidative stress in liver cancer patients by oral green tea polyphenol tablets during hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2012 Sep;4(3):452-458; Luo H, Tang L et al. Phase IIa chemoprevention trial of green tea polyphenols in high-risk individuals of liver cancer: modulation of urinary excretion of green tea polyphenols and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. Carcinogenesis. 2006 Feb;27(2):262-8; Suliburska J, Bogdanski P et al. Effects of green tea supplementation on elements, total antioxidants, lipids, and glucose values in the serum of obese patients. Biological Trace Element Research. 2012 Dec;149(3):315-22; Young JF, Dragstedt LO et al. Green tea extract only affects markers of oxidative status postprandially: lasting antioxidant effect of flavonoid-free diet. British Journal of Nutrition. 2002 Apr;87(4):343-55; Freese R, Basu S et al. Green tea extract decreases plasma malondialdehyde concentration but does not affect other indicators of oxidative stress, nitric oxide production, or hemostatic factors during a high-linoleic acid diet in healthy females. European Journal of Nutrition. 1999 Jun;38(3):149-57; Hakim IA, Chow HH, Harris RB. Green tea consumption is associated with decreased DNA damage among GSTM1-positive smokers regardless of their hOGG1 genotype. Journal of Nutrition. 2008 Aug;138(8):1567S-1571S; Hakim IA, Harris RB et al. Effect of increased tea consumption on oxidative DNA damage among smokers: a randomized controlled study. Journal of Nutrition. 2003 Oct;133(10):3303S-3309S; Hakim IA, Harris RB et al. Effect of a 4-month tea intervention on oxidative DNA damage among heavy smokers: role of glutathione S-transferase genotypes. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 2004 Feb;13(2):242-9; Lee IP, Kim YH et al. Chemopreventive effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) against cigarette smoke-induced mutations (SCE) in humans. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. Supplement. 1997;27:68-75; Katiyar SK, Matsui MS, Elmets CA, Mukhtar H. Polyphenolic antioxidant (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea reduces UVB-induced inflammatory responses and infiltration of leukocytes in human skin. Photochemistry and Photobiology. 1999 Feb;69(2):148-53; Camouse MM, Domingo DS et al. Topical application of green and white tea extracts provides protection from solar-simulated ultraviolet light in human skin. Experimental Dermatology. 2009 Jun;18(6):522-6; Katiyar SK, Afaq F, Perez A, Mukhtar H. Green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate treatment of human skin inhibits ultraviolet radiation-induced oxidative stress. Carcinogenesis. 2001 Feb;22(2):287-94.

Reducing cancer risk or recurrence

Evidence across many studies suggests that people drinking green tea or taking green tree extracts have lower risk of these cancers: breast,²⁷Wang Y, Zhao Y et al. A dose-response meta-analysis of green tea consumption and breast cancer risk. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 2020 Sep;71(6):656-667; Yu S, Zhu L et al. Green tea consumption and risk of breast cancer: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis of case-control studies. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jul;98(27); Gianfredi V, Nucci D et al. Green tea consumption and risk of breast cancer and recurrence-a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Nutrients. 2018 Dec 3;10(12):1886; Najaf Najafi M, Salehi M, Ghazanfarpour M, Hoseini ZS, Khadem-Rezaiyan M. The association between green tea consumption and breast cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytotherapy Research. 2018 Oct;32(10):1855-1864; Sun CL, Yuan JM, Koh WP, Yu MC. Green tea, black tea and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. Carcinogenesis. 2006 Jul;27(7):1310-5 endometrial,²⁸Filippini T, Malavolti M et al. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020 Mar 2;3(3):CD005004; Zhou Q, Li H et al. Green tea, black tea consumption and risk of endometrial cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2016 Jan;293(1):143-155; Butler LM, Wu AH. Green and black tea in relation to gynecologic cancers. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2011 Jun;55(6):931-40. esophageal (among women only),²⁹Zhao H, Mei K, Yang L, Liu X, Xie L. Green tea consumption and risk for esophageal cancer: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Nutrition. 2021 Jul-Aug;87-88:11119; Yi Y, Liang H et al. Green tea consumption and esophageal cancer risk: a meta-analysis. Nutrition and Cancer. 2020;72(3):513-521; Sang LX, Chang B, Li XH, Jiang M. Green tea consumption and risk of esophageal cancer: a meta-analysis of published epidemiological studies. Nutrition and Cancer. 2013;65(6):802-12; Zheng JS, Yang J et al. Effects of green tea, black tea, and coffee consumption on the risk of esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Nutrition and Cancer. 2013;65(1):1-16; Zheng P, Zheng HM, Deng XM, Zhang YD. Green tea consumption and risk of esophageal cancer: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies. BMC Gastroenterology. 2012 Nov 21;12:165. liver,³⁰Yu J, Liang D et al. Coffee, green tea intake, and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Nutrition and Cancer. 2023;75(5):1295-1308; Huang YQ, Lu X et al. Green tea and liver cancer risk: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies in Asian populations. Nutrition. 2016 Jan;32(1):3-8; Ni CX, Gong H et al. Green tea consumption and the risk of liver cancer: a meta-analysis. Nutrition and Cancer. 2017 Feb-Mar;69(2):211-220; Fon Sing M, Yang WS, Gao S, Gao J, Xiang YB. Epidemiological studies of the association between tea drinking and primary liver cancer: a meta-analysis. European Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2011 May;20(3):157-65. lung,³¹Wang Y, Yu X, Wu Y, Zhang D. Coffee and tea consumption and risk of lung cancer: a dose-response analysis of observational studies. Lung Cancer. 2012 Nov;78(2):169-70; Wang L, Zhang X, Liu J, Shen L, Li Z. Tea consumption and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Nutrition. 2014 Oct;30(10):1122-7; Tang N, Wu Y, Zhou B, Wang B, Yu R. Green tea, black tea consumption and risk of lung cancer: a meta-analysis. Lung Cancer. 2009 Sep;65(3):274-83. lymphoid neoplasms (lymphoma, myeloma, and lymphoid leukemia),³²Zhao LG, Li ZY et al. Tea drinking and risk of cancer incidence: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and evidence evaluation. Advanced Nutrition. 2021 Mar 31;12(2):402-412; Mirtavoos-Mahyari H, Salehipour P, Parohan M, Sadeghi A. Effects of coffee, black tea and green tea consumption on the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies. Nutrition and Cancer. 2019;71(6):887-897. oral,³³ Zhao LG, Li ZY et al. Tea drinking and risk of cancer incidence: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and evidence evaluation. Advanced Nutrition. 2021 Mar 31;12(2):402-412; Wang W, Yang Y, Zhang W, Wu W. Association of tea consumption and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis. Oral Oncology. 2014 Apr;50(4):276-81. ovarian,³⁴Filippini T, Malavolti M et al. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020 Mar 2;3(3):CD005004; Khodavandi A, Alizadeh F, Razis AFA. Association between dietary intake and risk of ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Nutrition. 2021 Jun;60(4):1707-1736; Zhang D, Kaushiva A, Xi Y, Wang T, Li N. Non-herbal tea consumption and ovarian cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational epidemiologic studies with indirect comparison and dose-response analysis. Carcinogenesis. 2018 May 28;39(6):808-818; Gao M, Ma W et al. Meta-analysis of green tea drinking and the prevalence of gynecological tumors in women. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health. 2013 Jul;25(4 Suppl):43S-8S; Butler LM, Wu AH. Green and black tea in relation to gynecologic cancers. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2011 Jun;55(6):931-40. prostate,³⁵Filippini T, Malavolti M et al. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020 Mar 2;3(3):CD005004; Guo Y, Zhi F et al. Green tea and the risk of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Mar;96(13):e6426; Zheng J, Yang B et al. Green tea and black tea consumption and prostate cancer risk: an exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies. Nutrition and Cancer. 2011;63(5):663-72; Liu S, Chen J, Wang Y, Xu Y. Effect of dietary antioxidants on the risk of prostate cancer. Systematic review and network meta-analysis. Nutrición Hospitalaria. 2023 Jun 21;40(3):657-667; Perletti G, Magri V, Vral A, Stamatiou K, Trinchieri A. Green tea catechins for chemoprevention of prostate cancer in patients with histologically-proven HG-PIN or ASAP. Concise review and meta-analysis. Archivio Italiano di Urologica e Nefrologica. 2019 Oct 2;91(3);  Cui K, Li X et al. Chemoprevention of prostate cancer in men with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN): a systematic review and adjusted indirect treatment comparison. Oncotarget. 2017 May 30;8(22):36674-36684. and stomach.³⁶Bae JM. Green tea consumption and stomach cancer risk in women: a meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies. Cancer Research and Treatment. 2021 Jan;53(1):289-290; Poorolajal J, Moradi L, Mohammadi Y, Cheraghi Z, Gohari-Ensaf F. Risk factors for stomach cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiology and Health. 2020;42:e2020004; Huang Y, Chen H et al. Association between green tea intake and risk of gastric cancer: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies. Public Health Nutrition. 2017 Dec;20(17):3183-3192; Myung SK, Bae WK et al. Green tea consumption and risk of stomach cancer: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies. International Journal of Cancer. 2009 Feb 1;124(3):670-7. For colon cancer, studies suggest that green tea extracts may reduce risk,³⁷Seufferlein T, Ettrich TJ et al. Green tea extract to prevent colorectal adenomas, results of a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2022 Jun 1;117(6):884-894; Shin CM, Lee DH et al. Green tea extracts for the prevention of metachronous colorectal polyps among patients who underwent endoscopic removal of colorectal adenomas: a randomized clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition. 2018 Apr;37(2):452-458; Shimizu M, Fukutomi Y et al. Green tea extracts for the prevention of metachronous colorectal adenomas: a pilot study. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 2008 Nov;17(11):3020-5. but evidence is mixed for people drinking green tea.³⁸Zhao LG, Li ZY et al. Tea drinking and risk of cancer incidence: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and evidence evaluation. Advanced Nutrition. 2021 Mar 31;12(2):402-412; Chen Y, Wu Y et al. An inverse association between tea consumption and colorectal cancer risk. Oncotarget. 2017 Jun 6;8(23):37367-37376; Wang ZH, Gao QY, Fang JY. Green tea and incidence of colorectal cancer: evidence from prospective cohort studies. Nutrition and Cancer. 2012;64(8):1143-52; Wang XJ, Zeng XT et al. Association between green tea and colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 13 case-control studies. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2012;13(7):3123-7; Sun CL, Yuan JM, Koh WP, Yu MC. Green tea, black tea and colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies. Carcinogenesis. 2006 Jul;27(7):1301-9. In one small study, women with a pre-cancerous gynecological skin lesion, a type of vulval intraepithelial neoplasia, treated with a topical ointment containing green tea extract showed a higher rate of complete response.³⁹Yap J, Slade D et al. Sinecatechins ointment as a potential novel treatment for usual type vulval intraepithelial neoplasia: a single-centre double-blind randomised control study. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021 May;128(6):1047-1055. 

Studies showed no evidence of an effect on risk of pancreatic,⁴⁰Zhao LG, Li ZY et al. Tea drinking and risk of cancer incidence: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and evidence evaluation. Advanced Nutrition. 2021 Mar 31;12(2):402-412; Zeng JL, Li ZH, Wang ZC, Zhang HL. Green tea consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2014 Oct 28;6(11):4640-50. thyroid,⁴¹Zhao LG, Li ZY et al. Tea drinking and risk of cancer incidence: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and evidence evaluation. Advanced Nutrition. 2021 Mar 31;12(2):402-412. or urinary tract cancer⁴²Filippini T, Malavolti M et al. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020 Mar 2;3(3):CD005004. among people drinking green tea. There was no evidence of an effect on risk of gynecologic cancer as a whole in studies of people treated with green tea extracts.⁴³Filippini T, Malavolti M et al. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020 Mar 2;3(3):CD005004. A study investigating the effect of green tea extracts on a hereditary skin disease (dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa) that is a risk factor for fatal skin cancers also found no effect.⁴⁴Chiaverini C, Roger C et al. Oral epigallocatechin-3-gallate for treatment of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: a multicentre, randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2016 Mar 25;11:31. 

Some studies suggest that people with breast cancer drinking green tea have lower risk of recurrence,⁴⁵Gianfredi V, Nucci D et al. Green tea consumption and risk of breast cancer and recurrence—a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Nutrients. 2018 Dec 3;10(12):1886; Ogunleye AA, Xue F, Michels KB. Green tea consumption and breast cancer risk or recurrence: a meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2010 Jan;119(2):477-84; Seely D, Mills EJ, Wu P, Verma S, Guyatt GH. The effects of green tea consumption on incidence of breast cancer and recurrence of breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2005 Jun;4(2):144-55. and one study found that people with bladder or urothelial cancer drinking green tea had substantially lower risk of urinary tract recurrence (only for nonsmokers).⁴⁶Yasuda T, Miyata Y et al. High consumption of green tea suppresses urinary tract recurrence of urothelial cancer via down-regulation of human antigen-R expression in never smokers. In Vivo. 2018 Jul-Aug;32(4):721-729.

See the full evidence summary ›

Affordability and access

Is a prescription required?

• No, but we recommend you consult your oncology team before using green tea or EGCG

Other names

You may find green tea or EGCG under these alternate names: 

• Epigallocatechin gallate 
• Green tea catechins
• Green tea extract
• Green tea polyphenols
• Matcha tea

Where to find it

• Grocery stores
• Drug stores
• Supplement stores
• Online supplement distributors

Affordability

• Low to moderate cost (below $160 US/month) depending on dose and/or frequency of use

Find an integrative provider ›

FAQs

• Can green tea or EGCG help fight cancer?
  Some preliminary studies suggest that green tea or its extracts may slow the growth or progression of several types of cancer, though studies on other cancers show no effect.
• Can green tea or EGCG help with cancer side effects?
  Preliminary studies suggest that green tea or EGCG may help manage cancer side effects including digestive symptoms, radiation-induced dermatitis, fatigue, and mucositis.
• Does green tea or EGCG support immune function in cancer patients?
  Evidence is limited and mixed. Two studies found higher markers of immune activation among people, including elderly people with acute myeloid leukemia, treated with green tea extracts. But in another study, no effect was seen on markers of immune activation after surgery (gastrectomy) among people with stomach cancer drinking green tea. 
• Can green tea or EGCG reduce inflammation in cancer patients?
  Evidence is limited and mixed. Two studies found lower levels of some markers of inflammation among people with prostate or stomach cancer drinking green tea. But in another study, people who had colorectal adenomas (precancerous polyps) removed who were treated with green tea extract showed no change in a marker of inflammation.
• Can green tea or EGCG reduce cancer risk or recurrence?
  Evidence across many studies suggests that people drinking green tea or taking green tree extracts or supplements have lower risk of many cancers. Some studies suggest that people with breast cancer drinking green tea have lower risk of recurrence.

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• Sourcing Quality Herbs & Supplements ›
• Supplement and Therapies Database ›

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