Alcohol and Cancer: More Evidence

Alcoholic drinks 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.

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.
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
What it Means:
Women should consider that consumption of alcohol may be a risk factor for hormone-positive breast cancer.

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.
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.
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?*

beer = 1 bottle or can (12 oz)
wine = small glass (5 oz)
spirits (80 proof) = 1 shot, 1.5 oz

*Alcohol strength varies widely in each group; these are general guidelines.

Related Links

You can read more about how alcohol may increase cancer risk in a Nutrition Notes column from AICR’s Nutrition Advisor Karen Collins.
To read all ten of AICR’s recommendations visit our Recommendations for Cancer Prevention.
The American Heart Association also has a statement on alcohol consumption as it relates to heart disease.

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