Just one small glass of wine a day raises breast cancer risk, experts say
DRINKING only one small glass of wine a day raises the risk of breast cancer, a major report concludes.
It means even following safe drinking guidelines of 14 units a week could endanger health.
A review of 119 studies, involving 12million women, found a daily glass of wine raises the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer by 5 per cent and post-menopausal breast cancer by 9 per cent.
The authors, from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), estimate 12,000 cases of breast cancer could be prevented in the UK each year if nobody drank alcohol.
They based their calculations on consumption of 10g of alcohol a day, the amount in 100ml of 12 per cent strength wine – less than a standard 125ml small glass. That is equivalent to 8.75 units a week, which is well within the 14-a-week limit advised by the Government.
The report, also by the American Institute for Cancer Research, found a healthy diet, exercise and watching your weight can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
The authors said that those who exercised vigorously, such as runners, had a 17 per cent lower risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer compared to those who were least active.
They noted a 10 per cent lower risk for post-menopausal breast cancer. Gentler activity, such as walking or gardening, reduces the risk of developing the disease at any age by 13 per cent. And for every five months of breastfeeding, the risk drops by 2 per cent.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the UK,
‘Only part of a bigger picture’
with more than 55,000 new cases and 11,400 deaths each year.
Dr Rachel Thompson, head of research interpretation at the World Cancer Research Fund, said: ‘To help prevent breast cancer, one of the most important steps women can take is to not drink alcohol or reduce the amount of alcohol they drink.
‘Maintaining a healthy weight and getting enough exercise are also important.’
But Carolyn Rogers, of the charity Breast Cancer Care, said: ‘The lifestyles people lead is only one part of the bigger picture.
‘While the connection between drinking alcohol and an increased risk of developing breast cancer cannot be ignored, reducing the amount you drink has no guarantees.
‘The greatest risks for developing breast cancer are being a woman and getting older.’
Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University, said last night: ‘Breast cancer is one of the commonest cancers, and according to Cancer Research UK, of 100 UK women, about 12 or 13 will develop a breast cancer at some point in their lives.
‘Imagine that these 100 women all drank an extra small glass of wine or half a pint of beer every day, compared to what they drink now. On WCRF’s figures, that would lead to one more of them developing a breast cancer during their lifetime.
‘Any increase is a bad thing, but it’s only one more out of the 100 women, and that has to be set against whatever pleasure the women might obtain from their drinking.’
Dame Sally Davies, the UK Government’s chief medical officer, last year infamously told the Commons Science and Technology committee that women should ‘do as I do’ and think about the risks of breast cancer every time they reach for a glass of wine.
She later admitted she had chosen her words poorly, amid a backlash in which she was accused of having a ‘nanny-state attitude’.
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: ‘Only one in ten people are aware of the link between alcohol and cancer, and with the evidence on breast cancer and alcohol being so strong, it is vital that consumers are aware of this fact.
‘People have a right to know about the risks associated with alcohol.’