Understanding Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk
- “Real Housewives of Miami” star Guerdy Abraira, 47, is cutting back on her drinking. She was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer after a routine mammogram (breast cancer screening test) discovered signs of cancer. She completed treatment in 2023, which included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, before reaching remission and being declared “cancer-free.”
- Research expected to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), an annual meeting comprised of cancer experts – will show a sharp rise in cancer-related deaths linked to alcohol over the last 30 years.
- Drinking has been shown to increase your risk of several cancers, including head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal, according to the National Cancer Institute.
- Research shows that people who lowered their consumption lowered their cancer risk.
- Oncologists we spoke with indicate that moderation is key, suggesting that one glass a day or four drinks per week may be fine for women.
“Lately, I’ve cut drinking way down, but It’s National Wine Day – this isn’t just a poll,” Abraira said in an Instagram post.
“You have breast cancer, but you caught it right on time, and it’s considered stage zero,” she recalled to People Magazine.
However, a follow-up test found a tumor. The mother of two underwent a lumpectomy, which is a procedure that removed the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue. Abraira’s treatment also included 12 weeks of chemotherapy. One of the notable side effects of her treatment was hair loss. Nevertheless, Abraira embraced her new look and proudly donned her shaved head.
Chemotherapy can cause hair loss. It usually begins about three to four weeks after chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment.
WATCH: Hair loss during chemotherapy.
Mammograms are used to screen for breast cancer. Women who haven’t gone through menopause are encouraged to get a mammogram annually between the ages of 45 and 54. If you have experienced menopause, you can get a mammogram every two years.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women begin screening for breast cancer at age 40. Women should talk with their doctor to learn about their cancer risk and assess when a good time is to start annual mammograms.
By November 2023, Abraira revealed she had been declared “cancer-free.”
Resources on Alcohol's Impact on Cancer
- Alcohol Can Cause Cancer — So Why Don’t Beer, Wine, Whiskey and Other Booze Labels Warn Us?
- Alcohol Can Increase the Risk of Developing Breast Cancer
- Alcohol Consumption Increases Cancer Risk. Less Booze Is Associated With Lower Cancer Risk, New Data Adds To The Case For Moderation
- Alcohol Intake Has a Big Impact on Colon Cancer Surgery
Is There a Link Between Cancer and Alcohol Consumption?
There is a clear link between consuming alcohol, especially drinking it regularly over time, and an increased risk of several cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute. Those cancers include head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast and colorectal.
According to a study published last year in JAMA Network Open, people with “heavy drinking levels had an associated higher risk” of developing alcohol-related cancers “than those who did not drink.”
The study included 4.5 million participants who self-reported their drinking habits. The results concluded people who reduced their alcohol consumption lowered their risk.
Conversely, “Those with moderate or heavy drinking levels who quit drinking had a higher all cancer incidence than those who sustained their levels, but when quitting was sustained, this increase in risk disappeared.”
WATCH: Alcohol and its impact on colon cancer risk.
Each drink increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer, according to some SurvivorNet experts.
Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal cancer surgeon at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said she also believes alcohol increases the risk for certain cancers but acknowledged that the data was mixed, especially for colon cancer.
“I do think that high levels of alcohol certainly predispose to a certain number of cancers, including pancreatic and liver cancer, and may predispose to colon cancer,” she said.
“But there’s also some data that shows that low levels of alcohol, or a glass of wine here and there, may actually lower your risk of colon cancer,” Dr. Yeo continued.
How Much Alcohol Can You Consume?
When it comes to knowing how many drinks you can safely have? The World Health Organization has plainly said no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.
If you want to have absolutely no risk from alcohol, then don’t drink at all. But drinking less than four glasses a week of alcohol is considered okay, SurvivorNet experts say.
Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest two drinks or less per day for men and one drink or less per day for women.
Dr. Yeo shared a similar message regarding moderation.
“For women, anything over half a glass or a glass a day is probably not helping your overall health,” Dr. Yeo said. “For men, they can probably go one to two glasses before they start seeing health effects.”
Helpful Tips to Help You Avoid Alcohol
Do you struggle with alcohol in times of stress? Victoria Martin did. She is a breast cancer survivor and wellness coach who used her own experience to help others with alcohol addiction.
She shared some helpful tips and actionable steps people can use to help break unhealthy habits and cope with stress without alcohol.
- Mindset: Instead of thinking this is something you must give up, try making a tiny shift in your language and thinking that still feels true. Have an open mind and think about what you will gain and learn rather than approaching it from deprivation.
- Be Curious: What would it feel like to experience new thoughts and feelings to replace the worn-out ones? Realizing that you can change your patterns and see what is on the other side is empowering.
- Understand This is Not the Garden of Eden: Thinking of anything as a “forbidden fruit” creates even greater cravings, feelings of resentment, and deprivation. You are simply getting curious and creating changes that you get to make. Also, emotional attachments to our habits are very real, so acknowledging and honoring these feelings is perfectly healthy.
- Create a Toolbox: Habits that no longer serve us did serve a purpose at some point, which is part of why we use them past their expiration date. You may be surprised at how uncomfortable some moments can be, but you can learn tools and tactics to make it easier than staying stuck.
- Find Your People: You are not alone. Luckily, there is strength in numbers and a community where you can connect with people who understand what it is like. Sharing your experience will not only help you feel less alone, but you will also be helping others.
- Drop the “Shoulds”: One of the quickest ways to be defeated is by “shoulding ourselves.” Expecting perfection and tearing ourselves down will only lead to our maladaptive habits gaining more of a foothold. Practice speaking to yourself like you would talk to a friend and see how kindness gets you moving in the right direction.
What To Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about keeping your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation with your doctor:
- What treatment will I be receiving?
- What side effects are associated with this treatment?
- Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
- What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
- Do you have recommendations for someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy exercise?
- Can you recommend a dietician who can help me with healthy eating tips and weight maintenance?
- I’ve been having trouble sleeping. Do you have any treatment recommendations?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
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