Consumption of alcoholic beverages and risk of breast cancer
Statement COC/04/S5 - November 2004
Overview
The COC has evaluated all the available published research up to June 2003 on the association between drinking alcohol and breast cancer. The COC also commissioned some specialist research to aid in reaching conclusions. Breast cancer is a complex disease. Information on the range of causes has been considered in detail in the full statement. Further information can be obtained from the Cancer Research UK internet site (http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/aboutcancer/specificcancers/breastcancer)
The Committee finalised its statement in June 2004 and agreed to publish the documents at its November 2004 meeting.
The Committee concluded it prudent to assume that drinking alcoholic beverages may result in breast cancer in women.
The research considered by the Committee concludes that approximately 6% (between 3.2% and 8.8%) of breast cancers reported in the UK each year could be prevented if drinking was reduced to a very low level (ie less than 1 unit/week). The evidence suggests that the risk of breast cancer associated with drinking alcoholic beverages accumulates with prolonged consumption of alcohol.
The statements provide an evaluation (tables and graphs) of the cumulative risk of breast cancer with additional units of alcohol consumed per day above the national average of 1 unit/day. (A unit of alcohol is considered to be equivalent to 8 grams of ethanol in a drink, half a pint of normal strength beer, lager, or cider, a single measure of spirits, one small glass of ordinary strength (9% by volume) wine or one small glass of port, sherry or other fortified wine.)
