Does alcohol intake affect breast cancer risk?

January 01, 0001

Does alcohol intake affect breast cancer risk?

While heavy alcohol intake has been linked to breast cancer risk, these US researchers looked at lower levels of consumption and patterns of drinking and breast cancer risk. They performed a prospective observational study of 105 986 women in the Nurses' Health Study over an almost 30 year period.

The researchers found: "During 2.4 million person-years of follow-up, 7690 cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed. Increasing alcohol consumption was associated with increased breast cancer risk that was statistically significant at levels as low as 5.0 to 9.9 g per day, equivalent to 3 to 6 drinks per week (relative risk 1.15, 333 cases/100 000 person- years). Binge drinking, but not frequency of drinking, was associated with breast cancer risk after controlling for cumulative alcohol intake. Alcohol intake both earlier and later in adult life was independently associated with risk."

The researchers concluded: "Low levels of alcohol consumption were associated with a small increase in breast cancer risk, with the most consistent measure being cumulative alcohol intake throughout adult life. Alcohol intake both earlier and later in adult life was independently associated with risk."

This large study provides important information on the risk of breast cancer with moderate alcohol intake and with patterns of binge consumption.

For the full abstract, click here.

JAMA 306(17):1884-1890, 2 November 2011 © 2011 American Medical Association
Moderate Alcohol Consumption During Adult Life, Drinking Patterns, and Breast Cancer Risk. Wendy Y. Chen, Bernard Rosner, Susan E. Hankinson, Graham A. Colditz, Walter C. Willett.

Category: X. Female Genital System, Breast. Keywords: breast cancer, alcohol, moderate drinking, binge, adult, prospective observational study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 18 November 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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