Alcohol and Breast Cancer: What’s the Connection?
While most people diagnosed with breast cancer will be over the age of 50, we’re seeing more women (and those assigned female at birth) receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer in their 40s, 30s, and even 20s. This does not mean that you should panic about breast cancer. What it means is that more than ever it’s important for women to be aware of their own breast health and their personal risk factors to be proactive in a way that makes sense for them. This is why starting the conversation now is so vital, because understanding what may or may not significantly impact your own personal risk is the first step in deciding what’s right for you.
While many women worry about hormones and their risk of breast cancer, drinking alcohol regularly can increase a woman’s breast cancer risk more than hormone replacement therapy or using the birth control pill. In fact, alcohol consumption is one of the most significant modifiable risk factors when it comes to breast cancer. Over 100 studies have been done looking at the impact of alcohol consumption on breast cancer risk in women and they have all consistently found an increased risk.
So how much does alcohol really increase your risk of breast cancer?
While hormone replacement therapy and/or the birth control pill will cause an additional 4 cases of breast cancer for every 1000 women, drinking alcohol daily (ex. 24 ounces of beer, 10 ounces of wine or 3 ounces of liquor) will cause an additional 5 cases of breast cancer for every 1000 women.
This risk comes because alcohol can actually increase the level of estrogen in your body. Research has shown that alcohol consumption increases blood levels of estrogen in women, which is most notably observed in postmenopausal women. Additionally alcohol damages DNA in cells, increasing overall breast cancer risk.
When it comes to breast cancer recurrence only a few studies have looked at the risk of recurrence but a 2009 study found even 3-4 drinks per week increased the risk of a breast cancer recurrence in women who had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
Alcohol and your overall breast health
Even outside of breast cancer we can see that alcohol changes a woman’s breast health. In teenage girls who drank 3-5 drinks per week, research found a 3x increased risk of developing breast lumps. While other studies have found that alcohol consumption is associated with an 8% increase in breast density (which can make it harder for ultrasound and mammogram to detect changes in breast tissue over time).
The bottom line with alcohol is that there is no safe amount. Alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by IARC. Any amount of alcohol will impact estrogen levels and risk of DNA cell damage. If you enjoy having a glass of wine with dinner it’s important to be aware of what you can do alongside this to help keep yourself healthy and protect your breast health overall.
If you have questions or concerns about your own breast health or breast cancer risk, never hesitate to reach out so you can decide what is right for you and your body!
Ready to make a change?
If you're searching for more guidance and understanding of how you can support your breast health or address breast cancer concerns with naturopathic medicine, you can book a complimentary consult with me here.
Yours in health,
Dr. Hayhlee Clarence, ND
REFERENCES
1. https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/drinking-alcohol
2. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/20-10-2021-alcohol-is-one-of-the-biggest-risk-factors-for breast-cancer
3. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/alcohol-breast-cancer-risk-what-to know.h30Z1591413.html