Every October, we like to write a post about the relationship between breast cancer and drinking. As many of us know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and women’s health is on the forefront of our minds. But for many women, breast cancer isn’t just on their minds in October. And we’re here to remind you that every month is a good time to think about the negative consequences that alcohol can have on the overall health of a woman.
With breast cancer and drinking, research is consistently showing that all alcoholic beverages (beer, liquor, and even wine) increase a woman’s risk of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. This is because alcohol can increase the levels of estrogen and other hormones associated with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Alcohol might also increase risk because it damages DNA in cells which can contribute to the development of cancer.
