Are Studies Confirming the Alcohol - Breast Cancer Link Being Confused?

In an Oct. 12 press release, and in light of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR) reports that recent studies have confirmed that alcohol is indeed a risk factor for breast cancer. Specifically, the studies found that consuming more than three drinks a day can significantly raise the chances of getting breast cancer.

In September, a Kaiser Permanente study of alcohol consumption and breast cancer was presented at the European Cancer Conference. The study found that women who consume more than three drinks a day have a 30 percent increase in breast cancer risk compared to women who consume less than one drink a day. Women who drank one or two drinks a day had a 10 percent increase in breast cancer risk.

The results of these recent studies may be confusing because there are also several studies out that indicate drinking wine is good for the heart, perhaps even protecting against heart disease. It's understandable that women and others may therefore assume that drinking wine is healthier than beer or hard liquor. However, for breast cancer risk researchers say it's the amount of alcohol consumed, not the type.

Dr. Patrick Maisonneuve is the chairman of epidemiology at the European Institute of Oncology in Italy. He says the risk of developing breast cancer is linked to any type of alcohol in that "alcohol may elevate levels of estrogen, prolactin and other hormones potentially associated with a higher breast cancer risk." Women who drink heavily or on a regular basis are thus at higher risk for breast cancer, regardless of whether they drink wine, beer or hard liquor.

According to Richard Schmitz, director of communications for the SWHR, society's confusion and mixed messages were recently exemplified while he was traveling by plane. He says that on "two recent flights, I was struck by the irony of breast cancer prevention messages being immediately followed by a reminder that you could add alcohol to the drink. One flight attendant delighted at suggesting over the speaker system that you could add vodka to make a pink martini of sorts. I think it is a mixed message."

The "pink martini" was part of Delta Airline's "Force for Global Good." During October, the airline is offering $2 glasses of pink lemonade to customers and donating all proceeds to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

SWHR says that "while the intentions are clearly philanthropic and good," the message that alcohol and breast cancer have been scientifically linked are perhaps being confused or misunderstood.

Schmitz thinks "the efforts of Delta and other companies to raise awareness of and money for important health conditions should be applauded," but he also wants to "make sure that women are mindful of the health risks they face and the factors that can increase those risks."

Sources:

Press release, Breast Cancer Awareness: Is the Message Getting Blurred?; http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534291/

SWHR; http://www.womenshealthresearch.org/site/PageServer