10/02/2025
đ October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month đ
Everywhere I look this month, I see fundraisers, walks, and events designed to raise money for breast cancer research and support â which is amazing. đ But hereâs something that doesnât get talked about enough: so many of these events serve alcohol â and alcohol itself is a known cause of breast cancer.
According to a comprehensive NIH review (Alcohol Intake and Breast Cancer Risk, PMC3832299), even moderate alcohol consumption is linked to a 30â50% higher risk of breast cancer in some populations. And itâs dose-dependent: the more you drink, the higher the risk.
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đŹ What this means in practical terms:
⢠Even less than one drink per day increases risk slightly (~4â15% higher risk vs. nondrinkers).
⢠Each additional 10 g of alcohol per day (â one standard drink) increases risk by about 7%.
⢠Moderate intake (â1â2 drinks/day) can raise breast cancer risk by 30â50% in some studies.
⢠Daily or weekend drinking counts â itâs the total weekly alcohol exposure that drives risk, not whether you spread it out or binge on the weekend.
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đ§Ź How alcohol raises breast cancer risk:
⢠Itâs metabolized into acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can damage DNA, causing mutations that may lead to cancer.
⢠It increases oxidative stress and interferes with folate, reducing the bodyâs ability to repair DNA damage.
⢠Alcohol raises estrogen levels, increases aromatase activity, and slows estrogen metabolism â fueling the growth of estrogen-sensitive breast cancers.
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This isnât about fear, shame, or judgment â itâs about giving people the full picture so they can make informed choices.
So while we wear pink and raise money this month, letâs also raise awareness about one of the biggest preventable risk factors: alcohol. Because even small amounts matter â and the more you drink, the higher the risk climbs. đĄ