This Friday I’ll be a week post surgery. Both my daughters are coming for the weekend which I’m very excited about. Can I have glass of fizz with them? I’m not on anything other than paracetamol.
I’d be interested in your thoughts.
Thank you 
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Hi, it’s been over 2 years since my diagnosis and I haven’t had a drink since. It’s my choice, but alcohol is one factor which increases your risk of breast cancer that I can control, therefore I’ve stopped drinking.
I’m not judging anyone, this is my decision. I couldn’t control my dense breast, late menopause or 2 cousins that have had breast cancer but this risk factor I could influence.
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Absolutely you can if you want to. My oncologist said in moderation. Have a lovely time with your daughters.
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No alcohol. It feeds breast cancer. As little as one drink a day increases risk of breast cancer. Just Search “Alcohol and breast cancer risk new findings.” A 2023 review of studies found that drinking less than one standard drink per day significantly increases the risk of breast cancer. Links below. Instead of toasting with Prosecco, I use Nozeco, alcohol-free sparkling wine.
Alcohol and breast cancer risk: What to know | MD Anderson Cancer Center.
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Hi @julieytey
Hope you’re feeling ok post surgery!
Definitely speak to your surgeon if you have any concerns with alcohol and the current stage of your recovery. Personally I’d say if you’re feeling well in yourself then one glass won’t do any harm, enjoy and don’t feel guilty over it. We haven’t gone through a cancer diagnosis to not be able to enjoy little things 
I had a glass of fizz to celebrate finishing treatment after radiotherapy, would it have been advised by my team? I’m not sure, but I don’t regret it
All the best!!
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Why not you deserve it @julieytey . The advice seems to be no more than 5 units per week. An occasional glass of fizz will not hurt. The report linked does say at the end,if it becomes a habit and 1 glass becomes 2 or more regularly then there may be an increased risk.
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Eight months since my diagnosis and I haven’t had alcohol since and don’t intend to again.
Totally my choice but was something that my consultant did mention - about the known breast cancer risks, so for me it’s not worth the risk. But everyone is different and has different perspectives.
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Hi Julie,
It is totally down to personal choice.
I’ve never been a big drinker and I was almost tee total for the past 2 years post treatment as I lost my taste for it.
A couple of weeks ago me & my partner shared a bottle and I really enjoyed it. I haven’t had the desire for another drink yet but if I do I will probably have one.
I’m more into sweet things, which I do try to limit, but still allow myself a little something now and then. I think it’s about moderation.
Enjoy your weekend with your daughters x
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Thank you - some very mixed responses but all good to read. Thank you for taking the time.
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@julieytey I have just tried to link a short video from Dr Liz O’Riordan but I think maybe I’m not allowed to link YouTube videos as it doesn’t seem to work. It’s from just before Christmas if you follow her and want to find it. In short, yes you can enjoy the odd glass so cheers
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General advice is 5 units or less per week post cancer. However, while there are links to alcohol and breast cancer occurance, there has been no proof of causing a reoccurrence.
Directly feeding BC is BS, as is sugar doing so and many other things. It is thought that while the liver is busy processing alcohol, its less good at processing hormones, so causes an increase in hormones pre cancer, hence the inkreased risk. If therefore, you are already on hormone blockers post as part of treatment, there’s likely less effect.
So go for it if you want, have 2 if you wish, just not recommended to go overboard.
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Hi juliey tey
I think you have to do what’s best for you.
Personally I do have a half a glass of red wine when I want to. I spent most of 2023 in hospital appointments or waiting for results of biopsies, ct scans mri scans
I had bi lateral low grade er/pr positive and had lumpectomies and margins taken over three operations
I’ve had radio therapy and been on letrozole since aug 23. I’m experiencing horrible side effects after coming off hrt after 18 years due to all this.
I think I deserve to thrive after cancer not just survive.
So I will be mindful - yes I’ve read up on all sorts. Apparently no supplements and be careful of chocolate and alcohol, ultra-processed foods, undercooked foods, and red and processed meats plus lots of others which are too many to mention.
I think everything is in moderation like most things.
I look forward to the odd half a glass and I want to thrive not just survive
That’s it rant over! You can tell I’ve had a bad day 
Take care
Lynn x
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I would. I do have a drink not every weekend. Maybe one bottle of wine in a month and that’s sharing with my husband. Or a glass of whiskey. My oncologist said a glass of wine is fine to drink x
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I’m sceptical about any reasearch that seems based on drinking patterns that no person would live by - 1 drink a day? Who the heck has that pattern? More likely not for a while, then a binge or maybe weekends only . Its not a realistic measure.
If they said it was an average, eg. 7 on a weekend, thus giving 1/day, that would be more believable, but instead there seem to be all these mythical people who can’t go a day without drinking, and yet only have one when they do so. It doesnt happen that way in the real world. Such is the problem with applying mathematical averages in real world situations. To extrapolate it with averages makes it lose its meaning and credibility.
Some research should be taken with a pinch of salt. Its common that people underestimate how much they drink or play it down, so any data that is based on what people say they drink, rather than what they actually drink, is skewed towards the limits being less.
What price happiness and normality for a while in a post-cancer world? It’s really not worth getting worried about in the grand scheme.
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Of course you can! A glass isn’t going to hurt and I’m sure your daughters will love this bit of ‘normal’. Enjoy it xx
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Hi @julieytey
One glass of fizz would be fine . Special occasion why not . When I was diagnosed my son was getting married asked consultant if would be ok to have a glass he said of course 
Xx
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Lots of lovely non alcoholic fizz especially Kylie about £6. I stopped drinking while having chemo and my taste changed. I personally decided not to drink again and have tried lots of non alcoholic alternatives. Some are good some are bad.
Dr Liz O’Riordan says yes but less than the normal 14 units a week. Alcohol and breast cancer can be a factor so the less you drink the better. But dr Liz also acknowledges that teetotal people can also get cancer and there is many contributing factors.
Do what is right for you. I hope you had a wonderful weekend.
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Don’t deprive yourself as a special treat. I never refuse a glass of fizz if I’m celebrating with my family, and kids coming home is always a time to celebrate . Giving up alcohol the majority of the times makes that occasional glass more enjoyable - well it does for me anyway. Have a lovely time x
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Go for it! And enjoy!
I had a glass of wine to toast my mammogram and my cancer removed. That was 3 weeks post op and 1 week before chemo.
I then didn’t have one alcoholic drink for 7 months during chemo and rads and getting over them. I now go weeks without any. I’ll have a few beers or cocktails on the odd occasion and 1 small bottle of beer once a month. Mostly I’ll have 0% Thatcher’s cider if I fancy a ‘drink’.
Life’s pants enough (other epic life problems) without people saying about how alcohol could increase risks - we all cross roads.
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Absolutely
100% go for it
Enjoy, laugh and have fun
Well done you xx
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