Alcohol and Cancer: More Evidence
 After
AICR’s expert report was released, many people focused on its
conclusion that what we eat affects our cancer risk. But one of the big
findings of Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective
relates to what we drink – in the alcohol family. The report concluded
that alcohol increases the risk for a lot of cancers. There was
convincing evidence that alcohol increases the risk for cancers of the
mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, and breast, both pre- and
post-menopausal. It probably also increases the risk for liver cancer.
Now, two new studies presented at an annual meeting of cancer
researchers add support to alcohol’s link with cancer risk. Both
studies focused on breast cancer and alcohol consumption, with one
looking at population data and the other examining genes.
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What they Did:
Researchers reviewed data from almost 185,000 postmenopausal women who were part of the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study.
This study, which began in 1995, is one of the largest studies looking
at the relationship between diet and cancer. Participant data was
collected over an average of seven years.
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What they Found:
The authors found the strongest association between alcohol and the
most common type of breast cancer – hormone-positive tumors. Moderate
drinking increased the risk of developing breast cancer overall.
Compared to non-drinkers, women who had 1 to 2 drinks a day were 32
percent more likely to develop the hormone-sensitive tumor. The risk
increased to 51 percent in women who had three or more drinks per day.
Results also suggested increased risks between alcohol and other breast
cancer tumor types, but the number of cases was too small to be
significant
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What it Means:
Women should consider that consumption of alcohol may be a risk factor for hormone-positive breast cancer.
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What they Did:
Scientists analyzed the
DNA from almost 1,000 women with breast cancer and a comparable group
of women without breast cancer. Researchers looked at alcohol
consumption in both groups and compared its association with two
different genes, both involved with metabolizing alcohol.
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What they Found:
Some women had variant forms of the genes, meaning they had different
DNA sequences within the genes. Results showed an increased breast
cancer risk among post-menopausal women who had these variant forms.
The more the women reported drinking, the greater their risk.
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What it Means:
Research continues as to how the DNA sequences affect the genes, and
how the genes interact with other genes. Much more research is needed
before scientists can reach any conclusions.
Keep in mind that both of these studies were presented at a
conference, and they have not yet been published. But if their findings
hold up, they could prove important additions to the collected evidence
on alcohol and cancer, and shed new light on precisely why this link
exists.
Because there is evidence that small amounts of alcohol may protect
against heart disease, AICR’s recommendation for alcohol consumption
leaves room for modest amounts. If you do drink alcohol, the
recommendation is for men to have no more than two drinks a day and
women no more than one drink a day.
So what’s 1 drink?*
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beer = 1 bottle or can (12 oz)
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wine = small glass (5 oz)
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spirits (80 proof) = 1 shot, 1.5 oz
*Alcohol strength varies widely in each group; these are general guidelines.
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