Risk of Endometrial Cancer Reduced by Drinking Alcohol

The risk of endometrial cancer (EC) is lowered by moderate drinking.

Study

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

Doctors found a total of 794 cases of endometrial cancer during the study. Compared to abstaining, light alcohol drinking was linked with a 22% lower risk of EC. 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. In 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 or discharge.
- Pain in the pelvis.
- A mass felt in the abdomen.
- Weight loss not intended.

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

EC Risk Factors

Alcohol is not a risk factor for EC. 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