According to UT MD Anderson, alcohol increases a person’s risk for seven types of cancer, including breast cancer. An advisory report from the U.S. Surgeon General indicated that drinking alcohol increases breast cancer risk more than any other cancer in women. In fact, more than 16 percent of the 270,000 breast cancer cases in women in 2019 were linked to alcohol consumption. Alcohol contains ethanol, which the body breaks down into a cancer-causing substance known as acetaldehyde.
Acetaldehyde causes DNA damage, which also can occur due to oxidative stress caused by alcohol. Alcohol also can alter levels of estrogen and other hormones associated with breast cancer. While millions of women consume alcohol without ever developing breast cancer, those at elevated risk for the disease may want to avoid it.
Even women considered at average risk for breast cancer should limit their consumption if they choose to drink.