Effects of body weight on breast cancer risk and consumption of alcoholic beverages

With a higher intake of alcoholic beverages, the overall breast cancer risk increased only among women with a BMI (Body Mass Index) ≤ 25.

45,000 Swedish women who participated to the Women’s Lifestyle and Health Study were followed for 17 years for the development of breast cancer. Almost all of the women were premenopausal at baseline. Intake of alcoholic beverages was assessed at baseline and again at the follow-up examination. In total, 1,385 cancer cases were recorded among the participants during the follow up period. Overall, no statistically significant association between the intake of alcoholic beverages and breast cancer risk after adjustment for confounding was observed. A small but statistically significant increase in risk for breast cancer was found only among women with BMI ≤25.

Shin A, Sandin S, Lof M, et al. Alcohol consumption, body mass index and breast cancer risk by hormone receptor status: Women’ Lifestyle and Health Study. BMC Cancer. 2015;15:881.

For more information about this article, read the scientific abstract here.