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# Even moderate drinking may boost breast cancer risk
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/alcohol_breast_cancer_1105111143/
- Published: 2011-11-05T13:39:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:46:09.000Z
- Description: Among 105,986 nurses followed from 1980 to 2008, with 7,690 invasive breast cancers recorded, 5 to 10 grams of alcohol a day was tied to 15% higher risk and at least 30 grams a day to 51%. The authors stress the study is observational and cannot prove cause.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Food, Nutrition, Breast Cancer, Alcohol, #vivvo-import

By David Liu, Ph.D.

Saturday Nov 05, 2011 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in the Journal of American Medical Association found even levels of alcohol consumption may boost the risk of breast cancer.

The study led by Wendy Y. Chen MD, MPM of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA and colleagues women who had 5 to 10 grams of alcohol per day, which is equivalent to 3 to 6 glasses of wine per week, was significantly associated with a 15 percent increased risk of breast cancer.

The study also found women who drank at least 30 grams of alcohol each day or at least two drinks daily were 51 percent more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

The associations were significant both among women aged 18 to 40 and those aged 41 or older.

The associations were derived from an analysis of data from 105,986 women in the Nurses' Health Study who were followed up from 1980 through 2008\. A total of 7,690 cases of invasive breast cancer were identified during the follow-up.

Dr. Chen and colleagues found alcohol consumption in early adult life may have an cancer-causing effect after age 40 years. 

They also found binge drinking even infrequently was also correlated with increased risk of breast cancer. The magnitude of the risk was linked to the cumulative alcohol intake.

The study is observational and it alone does not prove that moderate drinking, which physicians believe may help cut heart risk, increases risk of breast cancer.

"Our results highlight the importance of considering lifetime exposure when evaluating the effect of alcohol, and probably other dietary factors, on the carcinogenesis process," the researchers write.

The researchers also say "However, an individual will need to weigh the modest risks of light to moderate alcohol use on breast cancer development against the beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease to make the best personal choice regarding alcohol consumption." 

Is alcohol is a necessity for reduction in risk of heart disease? A health observer suggests women should avoid drinking alcohol and they do not have drink alcohol to prevent heart disease.

The bottom line: alcoholic beverages are carcinogenic, according to the U.S. government. 

The U.S. National Toxicology Program has recognized alcoholic beverages as carcinogens or cancer-causing agents.