I am often asked if I find my job depressing. I don't. one of the reasons is that I enjoy catching up with women I have treated at a different stage of their lives. Nearly ten years ago, Janet Gourand came to see me as a patient. Recently, she returned to see me and told me about her new project.:World Without Wine. She asked me whether she would have got breast cancer if she was a teetotaller.
As New year's Eve approaches, I thought it would be a good time to post her blog
Breast Cancer and Alcohol
Janet Gourand
"Back in 2006 I was diagnosed with breast cancer – although
almost 10 years ago I can remember that day as if it was yesterday.
"I was sent to breast cancer surgeon Dr Jenny Edge in
Cape Town. She took one look at my
breasts and suggested that I had a malignant tumour in my left breast. She was very kind and told me gently that I
was going to have a very busy day as she sent me round the hospital to have
various tests to ascertain if the cancer had spread – fortunately it hadn’t
although it was in my lymph nodes, many of which had to be removed along with
my breast.
"One of the ways I coped with my year of treatment was by
blogging – my blog is still up there in cyberspace under
www.breastcancerbattle.blogspot.com
"I was vaguely aware of the fact that there was a link
between alcohol and breast cancer but that was not something I wanted to dwell
on when coping with my diagnosis and the tough treatment regime that followed.
"According to website www.breastcancer.org
:-
“Research
consistently shows that drinking alcohol does increase a woman’s risk of
hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
Alcohol can increase levels of estrogen and other hormones associated
with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer and may also damage the DNA in
cells.
Compared to women who don’t drink at all,
women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast
cancer”
"Now that almost a decade has passed I felt brave enough to
talk to Dr Jenny Edge about the possible link between alcohol and breast
cancer.
"Her first words were that “its complicated” and she reminded
me that the biggest risk factors are being female and getting older!
"Having said that Dr Edge was kind enough to share with me some
key points from a recent presentation she had made at the University of Cape
Town:-
- The World Health Organisation has classified
alcohol as being
“carcinogenic to humans”
“carcinogenic to humans”
- Alcohol metabolises into acetaldehyde which
can damage
healthy cells
healthy cells
-
Alcohol could affect the response of the breast
to circulating
estrogen
"Dr Edge also mentioned the “Nurses Health Study (2011: JAMA)
which looked at alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk.
"Conclusions of this significant study were that “low
levels of alcohol consumption were associated with a small increase in breast
cancer risk, with the most consistent measure being cumulative alcohol intake
throughout adult life.”
"There was no statistical difference found between:-
- - types of alcohol consumed
- - age of drinking
- - regular vs binge drinking
"So I can see why Dr Edge says “it’s complicated” but if I
could give some advice to my younger self I think it would include some tips
about drinking moderately. As a result
of recent research the “safe” levels for alcohol consumption are likely to be
reduced in the UK. Currently 14 units a
week – that’s just one and a half bottles of wine! Let’s hope that SA will follow the UK example
– and lets hope that people will actually follow that advice!"
Research consistently shows that drinking alcohol does increase a woman’s risk of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Alcohol can increase levels of estrogen and other hormones associated with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer and may also damage the DNA in cells. Living DNA Coupons
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