Alcohol consumption and breast cancer recurrence

Published: 2010-11-30

A study has investigated the link between alcohol consumption after breast cancer diagnosis and recurrence and mortality among early-stage breast cancer survivors. The study involved 1,897 participants diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

Drinking ≥ 6 g/d of alcohol compared with no drinking was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence (hazard ratio, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.00–1.83) and death due to breast cancer (1.51; 1.00–2.29). The increased risk of recurrence appeared to be greater among postmenopausal (1.51; 1.05–2.19) overweight and obese women (1.60; 1.08–2.38). However alcohol intake was not associated with all-cause death and was possibly associated with decreased risk of non-breast cancer death.

So women should be aware that three to four alcoholic drinks a week increases a woman’s chance of breast cancer, but also has cardioprotective effects.

JCO. 2010;28:4403-4, 4410-6.