Alcohol Drinking and Mortality: Women with Breast Cancer
Is there a link between drinking and mortality in women who have breast cancer?
Overview
I. Important Question
II. Symptoms of Breast Cancer
III. Some Good News
IV. Resources
I. Important Question
Investigators asked that important question. To do so, they studied over time 1,116 women who had breast cancer. The researchers identified them through the Metropolitan New York Registry. It’s a registry of women from families at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
The women reported their consumption of beer, wine and spirits from age 12. The researchers then calculated each participant’s consumption as the average number of drinks per week since then.
During the mean follow-up of 9.1 years there had been 211 deaths. Of those, 58 were breast cancer-related deaths.
The Findings
The scientists compared drinkers at the start of the study to non-drinkers. These were their findings.
Overall mortality. Prior consumption levels (low, moderate, heavy) of drinking and mortality in women were not linked.
Breast cancer-specific mortality. Prior consumption levels (low, moderate, heavy) of drinking and mortality in women were not linked.
Therefore, the self-reported drinking from age 12 to age at baseline was not linked with the death rate after onset of breast cancer.
III. Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast self-examination detects almost half of all breast cancers. Early detection is important so learn how to do a breast self-examination. And do it regularly once a month.
Symptoms of breast cancer vary. But some common breast cancer signs and symptoms are these.
Any increase in size or change in shape of the breast(s) in a short period of time
Breast lump or thickening
Changes in touch (hard, tender or warm)
Changes in the appearance of one or both nipples
Irritated or itchy breasts
Lump in the underarm area
Lumps or nodes felt on or inside of the breas
Nipple discharge other than breast milk
Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
Pain in or on a breast
Skin changes, such as irritation, swelling, color, dimpling, or other changes
If in doubt, see a doctor. Better safe than sorry dead.
IV. Some Good News
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of invasive ductal carcinoma, a major form of breast cancer. But there is no evidence that it increases the risk of these breast cancers.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast
Basal-like carcinoma breast cancer
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer (the most aggressive and dangerous breast cancer)
Zeinomar, N., et al. Alcohol consumption and breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality in women diagnosed with breast cancer. PLoS One. 2017, 12(12), 12+