Drinking Alcohol

Cammychris

Question?  Recently DX and I read that alcohol can contribute to BC?  Is it ok to have a few drinks or this is true what I read?

proudtospin

if you avoid all the stuff that folks tell you cause cancer, well you may starve~~

me I go with my docs advise and alcohol is in moderation for me.  Then again, I gave up red meat completely and have added lots of salmon and all the dark greens I can stuff into my tummy!

 

Kicks

I will have an occasional drink or 2 on 'special' days with my Dr's approval.  I had a couple of Mint Juleps last Sat for Derby Days as I've done basically 'forever'.  Everyone has their own thoughts on the subject.  My idea is that I will continue to LIVE my life to it's fullest enjoyment/'fun' that I can.  Not to exist in fear of 'what if'.  

.'Occasional' has different means to different of us and at different times.  For me, I hadn't had a drink since the Christmas party where Hubby works until Derby Day but next weekend we are going to Deadwood for prime rib and crab legs so I'll have a Midori and Soda with dinner and then a drink or 2 while playing the 'One Arm Bandits' (penny slots).  No one worry - if we decide to not spend the night and drive home - Hubby will be driving and will have only had reg. Pepsi or sweet iced tea.

Scotch

Cammychris,

Certain studies have linked alcohol to tumor growth (here), so personally it's one drink, once a week for me. When I do, I also take gymnema both before and after as it is known to block sugar receptors (which is why alcohol is bad for cancer).

msphil

I asked my doctors they said in moderation, I didn,t drink any alcohol during and right after treatment, in fact I didn,t drink for about 6-7 yrs last yr is when I had a wine cooler during holidays, so only have that or glass of wine during spcecial occasions (Praise GOD) I am a 20 yr Survivor this year..msphil(idc,stage2, 0/3 nodes, L mast,3 mo chemo before surgery and 3 months after, got married then had radiation for 7 wks 5 days a week, 5 yrs on tamoxifen, idc)

MizMarie

I asked about drinking wine and was also told it was OK in moderation, but chemo destroyed my taste for it - even a sweet dessert wine tasted like metal.  It was a full year before my palate recovered.

Moderators

Cammychris, there are several blog posts by BCO founder Dr. Marisa Weiss on the main Breastcancer.org site, all about alcohol and real-world implications of research around drinking and breast cancer. 

• The Mods

Cammychris

Thank you all.  I have heard such mixed things and honestly I want a glass of wine!

Twinmar

I was an every night drinker for years (1-2 glasses of wine at times). Most of my friends and family drank. When I went on vacation with my sister we would often have 3 drinks a day. I was diagnosed with DCIS (98% estrogen positive, less than 1cm and low grade) two years ago and I was dumb founded. I never would have thought I would be diagnosed with breast cancer. There was none in my family. I immediately stopped drinking - other than having a glass of wine once in awhile when I was at a party or with friends. My oncologist told me 3-4 drinks a week would be just fine but to stay away from red meat, and keep my folic and Vitamin D levels up! So now I drink a glass of wine on Friday night and a glass of wine on Saturday night with dinner. If I am on vacation with my sister, I may have a glass of wine with dinner every night. The problem is I am now trying to convince her to cut back - she still seems to have to have two-three glasses every night (at least when I am with her). She also has friends who drink quite a bit. I was recently told (by my sister -who happens to be my twin) to SHUT UP and leave her alone. So, I do - I figure she's old enough to decide for herself. Once I stopped drinking so much, I lost 10 pounds. I've kept it off. I still eat ice cream every so often but I'm trying to eat healthier and exercise more. I'm not saying alcohol caused my breast cancer - my Vitamin D level was also very low - but it may have contributed to it. I'm in my 'young' 60s and hope that I will not have another diagnosis of this disease but I also refuse to give in to it. By the way, I tried Tamoxifen for 1 year. The side effects for me were horrible and I stopped with my doctor's blessing.

juneping

have a glass once in a while is fine. I only drink when I dine out. Which is not often. I only have red tho 

MissouriCatLady

I understand drinking alcohol after breast cancer, especially HER2+, is bad for you. Are there any more recent studies since the blog posts by Dr. Marisa Weiss? I've not heard of Gymnema, is it the phytoestrogen in beer that is so bad, and not the sugar? I've read you can't "save up" your 2 drinks a week for one week a month. If it is possible at all, could Dr. Weiss please give us an update? I am overweight and sometimes wonder which puts me more at risk, being fat or enjoying a beer. My doctor's advice is "occasionally." I know it is our personal choice. I've looked into syrups to add to drinks, or adding fruit to ginger ale to try and trick my mind, but it is JUST HARD TO DO! Thank you.

muska

I follow my oncologist advice, which was red wine in moderation would do you more good than harm. I usually have a glass of red with dinner almost every night and drink no hard liquor or beer at all. So far so good.

Cheers to all!

MissouriCatLady

Thank you for the reply, Muska. And cheers!