Risk of Endometrial Cancer Reduced by Drinking Alcohol: Alcoholic Beverages Protective against Uterine Cancer

Study: Risk of Endometrial Cancer

The risk of endometrial cancer is lowered by drinking  in moderation.

risk of endometrial cancerThis study looked at drinking and risk of endometrial cancer. It followed 68,067 women who were age 35-59 at the start of the study. The doctors did  for 30 years. They also measured the women’s alcohol consumption during that time.

Doctors found a total of 794 cases of endometrial cancer during the study. Compared to abstaining, light consumption of alcohol was linked with a 22% lower risk of endometrial cancer. There was no drinking level that had as high a risk of cancer as abstaining.

This study was based on a very large sample over a long period of time. Data collection was before rather than after the diagnoses of cancer. It is not subject to the errors of recall. Iin short, it is a very strong study.

Possible Signs of Endometrial Cancer

Some of the signs of endometrial cancer don’t appear until the disease is advanced.

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding, spotting or other discharge.
  • Pain in the pelvis.
  • A mass felt in the abdomen.
  • Unintentional weight loss.

Any of these may or may not be a sign of endometrial cancer. But it’s best to see a doctor right away. The sooner the disease is found, the better the odds of successful treatment.

Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors

Alcohol is not a risk factor for endometrial cancer. That’s the conclusion of major authoritative bodies. They include these.

The American Cancer Society provides statistics on the disease.

  • Endometrial cancer usually develops over age 45.
  • About three out of four occur over age 55.
  • Over 600,000 women in the US are survivors of endometrial cancer.

It’s good to keep in mind that last fact

Source: Je, Y., et al. Long-term alcohol intake and risk of endometrial cancer in the Nurses’ Health Study, 1980-2010. Brit. J. Can., 2014, 111, 186-19.

Resources

See Also

Alcohol and Endometrial Cancer

Drinking Alcohol and Cancer Risk

Women’s Health and Alcohol

Greggi, S. Endometrial Cancer. Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment. NY: Nova, 2013.

Kwabi-Addo, B. and Lindstrom, T. Cancer Causes and Controversies. Understanding Risk Reduction and Prevention. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2011. Clear information on how to reduce risk of cancer.

Rawls, G., et al. Managing Cancer. The African American’s Guide to Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Roscoe, IL: Hilton, 2001.

Holford, P. and Efiong, L. Say No to Cancer. The Drug-free Guide to preventing and Helping Fight Cancer. London: Piatkus, 2010.

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