A person drinking. [Photo/pinterest]
Alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. When we drink alcohol, it is converted into a toxic substance called acetaldehyde, which builds up the more you drink. The more toxic acetaldehyde builds up, the more cancer-causing damage can happen in the cells. Now, even a small amount of alcohol could cause some build up of toxic acetaldehyde, which could lead to cell damage, explaining why even one drink increases your risk.
In May this year, World Cancer Research Fund International published a report on an analysis of how diet, nutrition, physical activity and weight affect cancer risk and survival. The report reviewed evidence from 119 studies from around the world, in which more than 12 million women and over 260,000 cases of breast cancer were examined.
In premenopausal breast cancer, there was strong evidence that besides alcohol, developmental factors leading to greater linear growth as marked by adult attained height, are a convincing cause of premenopausal breast cancer.
In postmenopausal breast cancer, consuming alcoholic drinks and adult attained height increased risk, but unlike in the premenopausal breast cancer, being overweight or obese throughout adulthood as well as greater weight gain in adulthood increases risked risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding was also shown to decrease the risk of breast cancer in general.
While we still need to have more studies done closer to home, it remains that we should eat more plant-based foods, limit alcohol, red meat and avoid processed meat, eat less salt and avoid mouldy grains and cereals, breastfeed your baby for six months if you can, and do not rely on supplements for good nutrition.