Light Drinking Linked to Slight Breast Cancer Risk

USA Today

CHICAGO – Whether sipping beer, wine or whiskey, women who drink just three alcoholic beverages a week face slightly higher chances for developing breast cancer compared with teetotalers, a study of more than 100,000 U.S. nurses found.

The link between alcohol and breast cancer isn't new, but most previous studies found no increased risk for breast cancer among light drinkers. The new research provides compelling evidence because it followed so many women for up to almost 30 years, experts said.

Still, the study only shows an association between alcohol and breast cancer; it doesn't prove that drinking causes the disease. There could be some other reason light drinkers appeared to be at higher risk — maybe they were less active than nondrinkers or had unhealthy diets, said Dr. Susan Love, a breast cancer expert and author who runs a Santa Monica, California-based research foundation... Read More

• Breast Cancer Treatment at the Abramson Cancer Center
• Rena Rowan Breast Center
• The MacDonald Women's Cancer Risk Evaluation Center
• 20th Annual Life After Breast Cancer Conference