Breast Cancer and Drinking

As one gets older, the list of potential health risks increase. From obesity to various cancers, one has to take better care of themselves to stay in as good of shape as possible. According to a new study conducted by the World Cancer Research Fund partnered with the American Institute for Cancer Research, women are more likely to contract breast cancer if they have more than one drink a day.

Although scientists have known about the link between drinking and breast cancer, this is the first time a study has proven a link between breast cancer and daily drinking. If one drinks 10 grams a day, premenopausal breast cancer increases by 5% each day, and postmenopausal breast cancer by 9%. To curb this potential risks, those who authored the study recommend no more than one drink every day.

They got these results by analyzing the effects that alcohol had on the cancer cells which bind to estrogen and help them grow, growing the tumor. Alcohol helps the expression of the BRAF gene, a gene that encodes the protein B-RAF, which might allow cells to grow faster in the presence of estrogen.

Although this study is well respected by many there are questions about how the results should be interpreted. One issue comes when one realizes that other studies have shown that drinking can reduce the risk of heart disease. The authors answer this concern by saying that one must weigh the risks comparatively. The breast cancer risk is very slight, so it is up to the person to make whatever choice they deem most appropriate.

The study not only looks into

the risks of drinking on breast cancer but also their results when compared to other studies which took into account factors such as diet, nutrition, physical activity and weight.

One of the best things that a woman can do to reduce the chances of breast cancer is exercise. This benefits reduction of all forms of cancer, but is most helpful with breast cancer as one can see the risk fall by 20% for premenopausal breast cancer and 30% for postmenopausal breast cancer.

An interesting statistic that was found is that if one is overweight or obese when they are young (between the ages of 18 and 30) they can decrease their potential risk of all forms of breast cancer as well, but if this carries over after menopause they are at an increased risk. Even though some may believe take this information as an approval to be obese, there are many other risks that come with obesity that one need not risk, such as diabetes.

Another way to reduce the risk of breast cancer is by eating healthier, too. This means a diet that is high in calcium as well as carotenoids.

If one wants to reduce their risk of breast cancer, they should lead a healthy life. The authors advise one to maintain a normal weight, exercise for at least 150 minutes a week, limit alcoholic drinks and maintain a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, and low in sugars and refined carbohydrates.

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