Alcohol Consumption and Breast Cancer Risk

Findings
on the relationship between alcohol and breast cancer risk have
been inconsistent, and the effect of specific types of alcohol
on this risk has not been adequately studied. Using questionnaire
data from 13,074 Danish women aged 20–91 years (473 cases
of breast cancer), researchers sought to clarify the effect of
the type and amount of alcohol intake on breast cancer risk. Results
from analyses adjusted for relevant confounders (e.g., age, hormone
replacement therapy, parity) include the following:

• Total
  alcohol intake did not significantly affect the risk of breast
  cancer in the sample as a whole (both premenopausal and postmenopausal
  women).
• Premenopausal
  women who drank >27 drinks of any type of alcohol per week
  had a significantly greater risk (relative risk, RR, 3.5) compared
  with light drinkers (who consumed 1–6 drinks per week).
  Risk did not differ by type of alcohol.
• While
  their risk was not significantly impacted by total intake of
  all types of alcohol, women aged 70 or older who drank >6
  drinks of spirits per week had a significantly greater risk (RR
  2.4) compared with those who consumed <1 drink of spirits
  per week.

Comments:

Previous studies
on the relationship between alcohol and breast cancer have produced
inconsistent results possibly because they may have not accounted
for menopausal status (a risk for premenopausal women) or type of
alcoholic beverage consumed (spirits as a risk for the elderly). Until
these complex relationships are sorted out, it appears that breast
cancer risk is just one more reason to advise against heavy drinking.

Joseph
Conigliaro, MD, MPH

Reference:

Petri AL, Tjønneland
A, Gamborg M, et al. Alcohol intake, type of beverage, and risk of
breast cancer in pre- and postmenopausal women. Alcohol Clin Exp
Res. 2004;28(7):1084–1090.
(view
abstract)