In light of continued research related to the study of cancer causes and the medical expenses involved, research into the prevention of cancer through diet has become an important focus.
Tea catechins' role in cancer prevention came to be more widely known after the discovery in the early 80's of their antimutagen function, and then when a method of isolating and purifying tea catechins was established, creating a stable supply. From the 90's on, many research studies have been done in Japan, the United States and around the world.

Due to tea catechins' strong anti-oxidative function, radical scavenging action, and also their strong ability to bond with protein, they show particular anti-cancer enzyme interactions. Tea catechins therefore work against the initiation and promotion stages of carcinogenesis, and suppress cells from turning cancerous. While in addition inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and metastasis, confirmed by many in vitro cell experiments and animal experiments.