Drinking alcohol

Sereena

ck55, I wondered about the same thing....considering one is taking an AI to reduce the production of estrogen, so then the bit of estrogen alcohol may produce (providing one is not drinking eevryday) wouldn't the AI take are of that......hmmmmm, wondering!

wallycat

I found this on the yahoo health....note that they say BMI and exercise is realistic than altering alcohol consumption....and yet, my BMI was perfect and I exercised 2+ hours DAILY.....so maybe this shows that ideals exist but do they matter?

FRIDAY, June 24 (HealthDay News) -- Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, drinking less alcohol and getting more exercise could lead to a substantial reduction in breast cancer cases across an entire population, according to a new model that estimates the impact of these modifiable risk factors.

Although such models are often used to estimate breast cancer risk, they are usually based on things that women can't change, such as a family history of breast cancer. Up to now, there have been few models based on ways women could reduce their risk through changes in their lifestyle.

U.S. National Cancer Institute researchers created the model using data from an Italian study that included more than 5,000 women. The model included three modifiable risk factors (alcohol consumption, physical activity and body mass index) and five risk factors that are difficult or impossible to modify (family history, education, job activity, reproductive characteristics, and biopsy history).

Benchmarks for some lifestyle factors included getting at least 2 hours of exercise a week (for women 30-39) and having a body mass index (BMI) under 25 (in women 50 and older).

The model predicted that improvements in modifiable risk factors would result in a 1.6 percent reduction in the average 20-year absolute risk in a general population of women aged 65; a 3.2 percent reduction among women with a positive family history of breast cancer; and a 4.1 percent reduction among women with the most non-modifiable risk factors.

The authors pointed out that the predicted changes in lifestyle to achieve these goals -- such as former and current drinkers becoming non-drinkers -- might be overly optimistic.

But, the findings may help in designing programs meant to encourage women to make lifestyle changes, according to the researchers. For example, a 1.6 percent absolute risk reduction in a general population of one million women amounts to 16,000 fewer cases of cancer.

The study appears online June 24 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, where the author of an accompanying editorial applauded the research.

The findings provide "extremely important information relevant to counseling women on how much risk reduction they can expect by changing behaviors, and also highlights the basic public health concept that small changes in individual risk can translate into a meaningful reduction in disease in a large population," Dr. Kathy J. Helzlsouer, of Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, wrote in a journal news release.

snicklefritz

Hello ladies:

I am a long-time survivor of pleomorphic ILC - I post maybe once a year here.  I have wrestled with this whole alcohol issue like you have.  When I was dx at age 44, eight years ago, I was in the best health.  I was slim, never drank, never smoked, never did illegal drugs, etc.  Because I lived such a clean life I was really pissed that I got cancer while friends of mine who smoked, drank, did drugs etc were perfectly fine!!!  Now, I enjoy my life.  I have several drinks of white wine a week and I eat moderately and try to maintain my weight etc. I feel the whole thing is a crap shoot really, and if I have a recurrence, I will not blame my wine drinking and just realize that it happens without rhyme or reason.  I also want to give encouragement to all of you with pleomorphic lobular that there ARE long-time survivors out there and not to be intimidated by this diagnosis.  Stay strong!      Always, Mary Jane

sandogger

I no longer drink alcohol.  I had stopped and would have one drink occasionally, but now that my cancer has come back - I am not drinking ANY alcohol.  It's not worth it.

CorinneM1

I have had a few sips of wine, but not much since my BMX.  I believe that I will save my glass of wine for holidays and my birthday.  I don't need it or want it.

Now my morning cup of coffee?  This is my one vice that I am not willing to give up.

Eyelene

Hello,

I was diagnosed with BC the beginning of October however I suspect I had it for some time before.

The breast surgeon said stage 1 but the onc said no, not stage 1 but wasn't clear about what stage she thought it was. I stopped drinking alcohol completely the day after Thanksgiving and switched to a raw food diet. I have been very disciplined since then and taking supplements along with a full healthy protocol.

My struggle is with New Years Eve.

I will be going out with friends from out of town to a night club and there will be alcohol.

I am wondering if I have some drinks that night if that will do any serious damage?

I would like to enjoy myself at least one night and then go back to my strict and boring lifestyle.

I have given up everything I love and feel I deserve just this one time since I have such a long road ahead of me.

Any opinions?

lamuso

Eyelene,

It sounds like you are really watching what you eat and drink.  I don't think a night of celebrating will bring you cause to worry.  Remember, alchohol is one thing that can contribute to breast cancer but it doesnt mean it was the cause of your cancer.  You could never have a drink in your life again and still recur.  Or....you could drink a glass of wine every night and never recur.  Go out and enjoy yourself.  Cancer has taken too much from us already.  Don't let it rob you of living your life!

Hipline

I too have struggled with the alcholo thing - a glass of wine with friends on occassion or none at all.  Then people ask too many questions - do you have a problem or such!?!  But I will have a glass of wine and sip it very slowly so that by nights end no one even notices what I have drunk or not - they are too concerned with keeping their own glasses full!  If you're really nervous about it, I recommend a spritzer of sorts or champange.  And sip like a lady

Have a very Happy New Year!