Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2005 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings.
Vol 23, No 16S (June 1 Supplement), 2005: 515
© 2005 American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Abstract

Moderate alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk

Dana-Farber Cancer Inst, Boston, MA; Harvard Medcl Sch, Boston, MA

515

Background: Higher levels of alcohol consumption have been associated with breast cancer risk, but studies have been inconclusive on effect of lower levels. Methods: We examined the relationship between alcohol use and breast cancer risk within the Nurses’ Health Study, a prospective cohort of 121,700 registered nurses aged 30–55 in 1976 who update information on cancer risk factors and outcomes through biennial questionnaires. For this analysis, follow-up began in 1980 when the dietary questionnaire was first administered and continued through 2002. Alcohol use was measured by food frequency questionnaires assessing the average frequency of consumption of alcoholic beverages over the past year. Beer, wine, and liquor were assessed separately and updated in 1984, 1986, 1990, 1994, and 1998. Average daily alcohol consumption in grams per day was calculated by multiplying the number of drinks by the average alcohol content (12.8 grams of alcohol per 12 oz serving of beer, 11.0 per 4 oz serving of wine and 14.0 per serving of spirits). Proportional hazards models controlled for age, body mass index, parity, age at first birth, type and duration of postmenopausal hormone use, family history of breast cancer, benign breast disease, type of menopause, and ages at menarche and menopause. Results: Invasive breast cancer was diagnosed among 937 premenopausal and 4746 postmenopausal women with dietary data during the follow-up period. The association between alcohol use and breast cancer risk was seen only among women with postmenopausal breast cancer (RR (95% CI): 1.06 (0.98–1.13) for 0–5 gms/day, 1.14 (1.03–1.26) for 5–9.9 grams/day, 1.15 (1.05–1.26) for 10–19.9 grams/day and 1.41 (1.27–1.57) >=20 gms/day; p for trend < 0.0001), but not premenopausal breast cancer. Although the magnitude of risk was small, there was a statistically significant increased risk of breast cancer at levels of alcohol < 10 gms/day. The elevated risk was also seen mainly among women who developed ER+/PR+ cancers and was not modified by body mass index, postmenopausal hormone use (estrogen alone or combination estrogen/progesterone), or type of alcohol beverage. Conclusions: Even modest levels of alcohol consumption may be associated with breast cancer risk, especiallyER+/PR+ cancers.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Abstract presentation from the 2005 ASCO Annual Meeting