Something that is rarely discussed and limited health promotion exists regarding the effect alcohol has on breast cancer risk, strong evidence shows that alcohol consumption even at low volumes can increase risk of breast cancer in women (Freudenheim, 2020) .
Studies have reported that as little as 10-15g of alcohol consumed per day can increase an individual’s risk of developing cancer (Freudenheim, 2020). Multiple regulatory bodies worldwide including The World Health Organization (WHO), World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and American Institute for Cancer Research advise zero alcohol consumption. Most of the WCRF recommendations relating to nutrition and cancer prevention are encompassed by the Eatwell Guide within the UK, but unfortunately the advice that no consumption of alcohol is better for cancer prevention is omitted (PHE, 2016).
Breast cancer poses a significant threat to women and especially those within post-menopausal stage of life as breast cancer risk increases with age.
The most recent WCRF/AIS report published in 2017 evaluated evidence collected from multiple studies worldwide linking alcohol to breast cancer incidence and concluded:
- Consumption of alcoholic drinks is probably a cause of premenopausal breast cancer
- Consumption of alcoholic drinks is a convincing cause of post-menopausal breast cancer
Further evidence from a UK Biobank prospective cohort study showed that an overall healthy diet including reduced alcohol consumption can reduce the negative hereditary effect on breast cancer risk and lifestyle intervention was seen to be beneficial to all women (Anderson et al., 2018).
According to NHS digital, mean alcohol consumption figures for women in show that pre-menopausal women consume 8.5 units/week compared to 8.7 units/week consumed by post-menopausal women. This translates to 68 – 69.6g alcohol per week and constitutes a serious increased risk of developing breast cancer for women at all stages of life.
As we head into October which is breast cancer awareness month, it is worth taking time to reassess your alcohol consumption especially if you are a women of menopausal age as reducing your intake could have a significantly beneficial effect on your health and reduce your risk of developing cancer.
References
Anderson, J. J., Darwis, N. D. M., Mackay, D. F., Celis-Morales, C. A., Lyall, D. M., Sattar, N.,…Pell, J. P. (2018). Red and processed meat consumption and breast cancer: UK Biobank cohort study and meta-analysis. Eur J Cancer, 90, 73-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2017.11.022
Freudenheim, J. L. (2020). Alcohol’s Effects on Breast Cancer in Women. Alcohol Res, 40(2), 11. https://doi.org/10.35946/arcr.v40.2.11
PHE. (2016). The Eatwell Guide. London, Public Health England
WHO. (2013). Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2020. . In. http://www.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/94384/1/9789241506236_eng.pdf?ua=1.
World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: A Global Perspective. Continuous Update Project Expert Report (2018). In. http://dietandcancerreport.org .
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