New research suggests that women in their 30s and 40s may need to reconsider how much they drink to reduce their risk of breast cancer.
A new study conducted by researchers at Imperial College London and the Institute of Cancer Research analyzed data from more than 110,000 women as part of the Breast Cancer Now Generations Study. Lifestyle factors known to be associated with cancer risk have been found to actually change at different stages of life, with alcohol consumption increasing in early to middle adulthood. Body mass index (BMI), on the other hand, generally increased with age.
Breast Cancer Now says drinking less alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
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What does the new research say about alcohol and breast cancer risk?
In the latest study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, experts found that identifying when these behaviors are most likely to change could help provide more targeted support at key periods in life.
Professor Marc Gunter, chair of cancer epidemiology and prevention at Imperial College London, said: “Our study has shown that adolescence and early adulthood can be a particularly important time to promote physical activity and prevent rapid weight gain.”
“In the meantime, early to middle adulthood, roughly between the 30s and 50s, may be a key period in combating rising body mass index (BMI) and renewed increases in alcohol consumption.”
“By identifying when these behavioral changes are most likely to occur, the results could help develop tailored public health strategies aimed at reducing breast cancer risk across the population.”
How does alcohol affect your risk of breast cancer?
Regular alcohol consumption increases your risk of developing breast cancer – and the more you drink, the higher your risk. Breast Cancer Now says just one alcoholic drink a day can increase your risk, while around eight in 100 breast cancer cases are thought to be linked to alcohol consumption.
Experts don’t yet fully understand why alcohol has this effect and increases the risk of breast cancer, but according to Breast Cancer Now, it may be because the body breaks down alcohol into a chemical that can damage cells.
“Alcohol consumption can alter hormone levels in the body, including estrogen, which is known to promote the growth of some breast cancers,” they say.
READ MORE: 10 Signs of Binge Drinking in Women You Shouldn’t Ignore
Is there a safe amount of alcohol to drink?
According to local health guidelines, women should regularly consume no more than 7 to 10 standard units of alcohol per week – the equivalent of about a glass of wine or 12 ounces of beer per day – as drinking more than this amount can be harmful to health. Even then, this is considered a “low risk limit” and not a completely safe amount.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) says any amount of alcohol poses a health risk as alcohol is considered a Group 1 carcinogen and is linked to at least seven types of cancer, including breast cancer.
How to reduce your alcohol consumption
There are many ways to reduce alcohol consumption and reduce your risk of breast cancer and other diseases. Here are five easy ways to reduce:
- Give yourself several days without alcohol every week
- Swap your usual drink for a non-alcoholic version – Try a non-alcoholic wine or beer or a mocktail
- Make your social plans alcohol-free – Meet for a coffee, watch a movie, or go for a walk or run
- Don’t feel obligated to participate in rounds – If you go out drinking, try not to drink in groups with other people, as it can be surprisingly easy to drink more than you intend if you’re keeping up with everyone else
- Set a weekly alcohol limit – You are more likely to stick to it if you make a plan in advance
READ MORE: Mindful drinking: How more people are becoming “sober and curious.”
This article by Alice Barraclough was originally published on Women’s Health UK.