A new study has found that even just one drink a day may increase a woman’s breast cancer risk. But does this mean that even light to moderate drinkers should set the mug of beer, glass of wine, or shot of whiskey aside for a better health outlook?
Study Says Breast Cancer Risk Increases When Women Drink Even Moderately
Are the sexes really equal? When it comes to light to moderate drinking of alcohol, it appears that women have an increased risk of cancers, though men don’t.
These findings are according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal that reviewed two prospective cohort studies that analyzed approximately 88,000 women and 47,000 men.
Women who drank even just one alcoholic beverage a day had a 13 percent increase in cancer risk, most notably breast cancer, than women who didn’t drink at all.
This means even women who are following the CDC recommendations for alcohol intake may still be putting themselves at risk for developing cancer.
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Drinking Increases Cancer Risk For Women, But Not For Men
The research found that when men consumed their daily intake (up to two drinks), they also had a higher risk of cancers; however, it was only when those men were smokers. In contrast, women who never smoked as well as smoking women had the increased breast cancer risk related to drinking.
While the research did find women’s risk to increase for a number of cancers, the most prevalent cancer in light to moderate alcohol drinkers was breast cancer. Interestingly enough, just one standard drink (a small glass of wine or a bottle of beer) increased the risk, though no associations were found between much heavier drinking and breast cancer risk.
The research authors recommended women not exceed one drink a day in order to keep their cancer risk as low as possible.
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Breast Cancer Risks May Mean Women Should Cut Out Alcohol Completely
The study followed the participants for nearly 30 years with health surveys conducted every few years by the Harvard School of Public Health and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. They also took into account other risk factors for cancer, including age, ethnicity, family history, smoking, body mass index, and physical activity.
Smokers, a family history of cancer, obesity or increased BMI and lack of physical activity all put the drinker at higher risk.
Though the recommendations should be fine for most people, the study authors as well as experts may encourage high-risk individuals to reconsider their alcohol intake or even abstain completely if possible.
Unfortunately, women have an increased risk for breast cancer even with moderate alcohol consumption, so it’s highly recommended to follow the guidelines as much as possible to ensure optimal health.
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Title Picture Credit to Edward Simpson
Additional Image Credit to Roland Lakis
Additional Image Credit to San Sharma
