Alcohol and Breast Cancer

[Galisurgon]

It's terrible to hear such diagnoses, and I understand you. I had a similar situation, but I had cervical cancer. I was depressed, didn't want to live, and drowned out my pain with alcohol. I support the opinion that the site https://www.theluckiestclub.com/join-community becomes important to support in such a situation. I don't have a family, and the support group from this site has become my family. I managed to recover and overcome my addiction, and I believe you can do it too.

[Carabinieri]

It's a pity that you have such a diagnosis, but I think that you should not give up, and you only need to go forward. Maybe you can overcome this disease and start living a normal life. I am against alcohol and consider it a drug because I have been an alcoholic for about 5 years, and I know it. I drank every day and did not understand what sometimes happened in my life. As soon as I turned to Online Alcohol Support Groups https://www.theluckiestclub.com/join-community, I finally got rid of my alcohol addiction after 3 months. Yes, it was the hardest 3 months of my life, but now I'm clean! Therefore, do not drink alcohol from it, only harm.

[Jaybro]

I haven’t drunk alcohol since the 1980s ( a prolonged illness seemed to change how I metabolised it and that was the end of a nice glass of wine). I only drank occasionally and, to my disappointment, have never been drunK. Almost 40 years on, I get breast cancer with no genetic links and then Stage 4 metastasis. I’d say enjoy your alcohol if it doesn’t clash with your chemo. I wish I could join you! 

[hamemont]

Well, it depends on how much alcohol you drink. My girlfriend became depressed when she heard that she had breast cancer and started consuming more alcohol, which affected her health. It was a very difficult time for both of us, but we were able to get over it together. She first had a medical detox for alcohol and then treatment for cancer. She already feels much better, full of life, and lives every moment of her life differently. People need to be supported because people often lose hope when it comes to serious health problems.

[Lyayozoce]

How will you treat two diseases at the same time?

[AlexaWilliams]

A glass of wine didn't hurt anybody, as long as the quantity is moderated. These are little pleasures in life that help us feel better, and I can't renounce at the feeling. I have a friend that is in an alcohol rehab centre, and I do understand that a little today and a little tomorrow can grow into an addiction, but I'm still indulging myself from time to time. This life is too short and too moody to refuse the little pleasures that can make us feel much better, and who else but you can understand me better.

[ClaireWalker]

I know that having more than two drinks each day for many years may increase the chance of developing cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, liver, and breast. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol that a person drinks. For most of these cancers, the risk is higher for a drinker who uses tobacco.
Doctors advise people who drink to do so in moderation. Drinking in moderation means no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men.

[JulsB]

Hello Savana,

I appreciate your honesty.  Thank you !   I agree with you in that a lot has to do with genetics.  My BC was a result of taking hormone injections (pellets) after having a hysterectomy.  I'm 56 no longer an olympic caliber swimmer but generally take care of myself.  I have not been able to find a definitive link as to alcohol and breast cancer but I do admit I like my glass of wine with dinner.  Candidly since my BC journey last year, I'm on hormone blockers thus my bucket list of things to do is lose the extra 20 pounds of weight I put on 🙂

Hugs !

Julia

[Savana]

Jules B. I admit I bing drink at least once a week +always have done. Plus 2-3 units drank on other 2 nights.I had

a 2nd DCIS within 10 years,but it may not be anything to do with alcohol. After all children get

cancer, women younger than me,(I'm 61) who have never smoked ,drank,or eaten red meat, have died

from cancer, ie, Linda, macartney. +My friends daughter was only 40,she NEVER drank, smoked,but died

from BC. As wev only got 1 life+ it's short,why give up what we enjoy ? As long as it's not done everyday

+not binging everyday. Especially with my extreme traumatic past, including, child loss.  No way IL

stop. At least I've stayed slim,+I've never smoked,+ I exercise. I think it's mainly down to genetics +bad luck??

MAYBE? What do you think? 

[JulsB]

Hi Nancy,

I didn't have any issue with the Chemo or radiation.  I guess my joke about drinking a bottle of wine a day was taken way out of context.  Doing great with the treatment but yes, miss my glasses of wine.

Stay strong !

JulsB

[KB-BHC]

Very true statements and I think that many people forget about the emotional, environmental, and genetic aspects of cancer.  Yes, "healthy" people get cancer because there is more to it than just physical health!

[Nancy.B]

Hi Jules I saw your Post. I have an HER2 positive BC too just starting treatment. The treatment is gruelling and everybody talks about how it affects mood and mental health. Are you drinking heavily because it helps obliterate the hard feelings? Or is it a long-standing habit? A bottle of wine a day is about 70 units of alcohol which is quite heavy drinking. It would make me feel very low and sleep badly and give me muscle weakness if I drank that much. How are you doing? 
NB

[Jules_91]

Thanks for that Mai The non-alcoholic selection has improved loads. I went down the pub last night and drank 5 non- alcoholic SAN Miguel’s and have woken up without a hangover. Yay

[JulsB]

Fabulous ideas - thank you so much !~  I'm going to investigate - xoxo !

[Mai7]

Jules_91,  I sometimes miss a nice gin and tonic and have found adding seedlip and angostura bitters to tonic water gives it the right flavour with a kick.  Also, have a look on drydrinker.com.  They have a huge selection of alcohol free “booze”. 

[JulsB]

Thanks Angel !  

[JulsB]

Thanks !   Appreciate your kind words - blessings !

[Jules_91]

I drank too much at the beginning of lockdown but decided to stop last month. I am actually really enjoying life without it taking light exercise twice a day and eating well. It’s hard at first but as long as you find something enjoyable to do it gets better 

[Guest user]

Don't drink. Please stop. Seek AA. They are on lockdown like us but have virtual meetings on Zoom x

Angel Eyes

[JulsB]

I truly need a good swift kick in the behind as well 🙂   Ex Olympic swimmer,  just finished the BC journey, and find myself still having a tad bit too much because I'm feeling sorry for myself.  By the way, my nickname is Jules so I flashed on this.   Hugs !

[JulsB]

Hi.  I literally just joined as I saw this post.  Hello Ladies !   I was diagnosed with Her2 positive Stage 2 Breast Cancer last Feb 2019.  Went through a lumpectomy, and lymph node removal, followed by 4 months of chemo - a full lympectomy and 2 months of radiation.  Proud to say I'm cancer free as of May 2020 - at least from the last Mammogram.  However, I'm a heavy drinker.  I'm on Letrozole for an extended few years but I'm freaked.   No need to lie here but I do have a good bottle of wine by myself almost every day.

I'm embarassed that with the stress of the BC and now not able to go back to work due to Covid - hair loss etc, I've been drinking more than I should.  This I know.  Sigh.  Suggestions?  

[oldspice60]

I know this is an old post but thought I would add something about alcohol and breast cancer. An article recently appeared in the Daily Mail by a professor Sir David Nutt on the problems of alcohol as a legal drug, but did touch on the points raised here. I do agree alcohol like tobacco is a causal factor in breast cancer but believe it all depends on how each individuals DNA reacts to it ( some can smoke 60 a day unaffected others can inhale secondary smoke only occasionally but get lung cancer) There are many faulty genes which can switch off the protective gene to stop tumour growth, not only BRAC1 & 2 but CHEK2, PALB, PAM and Li Fraumini etc. It is likely that those who get 'causal' cancer might unknowingly carry these faulty genes but it would be too costly to test everyone for all of them so this cannot really be explored and/or proven.

[sophiewilson0191]

Found this interesting article Cannabis Isn’t Some Magical Anti-Cancer Agent…But It Might Help.

[Jules_91]

Definitely not.  I just don't want to anymore. I had a gin and tonic recently and enjoyed it, but didn't want to carry on.   I am enjoying getting fit again.  Exercise has really helped me through the chemo and I intend to keep it up.  I love the matrix at least you feel that you can do something to lower the risk.  As I am having surgery soon I want to get fit and power up on aerobics to get through the next part of the treatment. Thanks for sending this again.

[Mai7]

Jules, just when you might want to drown your sorrows! Nope, not allowed. X

[Jules_91]

Thanks Mai very interesting. 

[Mai7]

This matrix suggest no alcohol to reduce cancer risk. 

https://wcrf.org/dietandcancer/interactive-cancer-risk-matrix

[Jules_91]

I will try the almond butter stuffing. Sounds like a good combo.  Glad you are alright now.

[Kate21]

Mine too! Have you tried putting almond butter inside when you take the stone out? 

Yes, my primary still hasn’t been found, not even on scans, I have dense breast tissue, they think it’s right at the side. I remembered what had happened to the sister of a friend of mine, she was married to a GP and it was only when he took her to A&E and refused to take her home until they did something because she was in so much pain, that a secondary spinal tumour was found. Think that was always at the back of my mind even though it was 15 years ago. As you can imagine she’d had every test going but nothing was detected, she’d otherwise been very healthy. My Oncologist says although not common, not detecting the primary happens more often than you’d expect x

[Jules_91]

I love Medjool dates.  They are my toffee

[Jules_91]

Nothing showed on the mammogram and ultrasound.  I have never heard a story like that before.  I am glad you pushed and that your case was properly investigated. Gosh.  I had an early mammogram. I am 49.  I had no lumps but 2 x Stage 2 tumours were found. I wouldn't have known if I had ignored the letter.  The oncologists still can't feel them when I go for check-ups.

[Kate21]

Hi Jules, going through chemo that makes sense. I was dx straight to stage 4, with mets in 3 or 4 upper vertebrae, long story but had been going to my GP for years as I knew something wasn’t right. Mammogram and ultrasound were both clear, so my doctor didn’t ignore me, but it took a biopsy to find out what was going on. I loved cake and chocolate, never smoked, been overweight, always active and didn’t drink much. I made changes to my diet, instantly gave up processed sugar (and initially most fruit) started on a plant based mainly organic diet and started having goats milk in my daily or twice daily cuppa, otherwise I used plant based milks. I was a real night owl so started making myself go to bed earlier and started walking twice a week with a friend. Four months later my scan was NED and has stayed that way over two years later, touch wood! I’ve since introduced more, such as doing more exercise, introduced quite a few supplements, which my Onc is fine about, and try to meditate, try being the operative word, but it all helps! I started eating medjould dates which really helped with the sugar, and yes, they have a high natural sugar content but the high fibre makes it slow release, so don’t know if you could try those or not? Hope your chemo is going well, Kxx

[Jules_91]

I agree.  I am having chemo right now so have not changed my lifestyle exactly because I need to eat what I can post-treatment which is organic chicken in jerk seasoning because it is one thing that tastes exactly the same to me and ready salted crisps. However, after the chemo is finished I am going to try to stick to a 80 vegan diet, eliminate sugar and do lots of exercise. Anything that might lower the risk of recurrance seems worth trying.  I used to love a weekend wine binge, I loved cheese, milk, red meat.  I have only really stopped the wine, but drink plant milk and less red meat and now eat goat's products.  My cholesterol and blood sugar improved drastically in the last 6 months and I feel in a better place pre-surgery. Diabetes is linked to more than one cancer it is also linked to pancreatis and liver I believe, so I am cutting down on carbs and sugar.

[Kate21]

So true Jules_91, couldn’t agree more! There are many factors involved with systemic diseases and unfortunately there isn’t a test to tell us exactly what’s caused our cancer but we can help ourselves going forward by respecting good research and making changes that, let’s be honest, make sense! Where is the research saying sugar is good for you??? If you prefer to carry on as before, then at least it’s an informed decision knowing that choice will increase the risk of recurrence and metastasis. I find it strange that people accept research about new treatments but often dismiss it when it involves lifestyle changes. 

[ann-m]

Well, I think we all take these things seriously then make the choices that are right for us & that we can follow through on. I take note of evidence, but I do not feel dictated to by it.
Yes, I did have a wine o’clock habit & dense breasts which wouldn’t have helped, or it may have happened anyway, I don’t know 🤷‍♀️
So now, I still enjoy a glass of wine, but in moderation of course & I feel comfortable with this.
ann x

[Jules_91]

And there is a lot of sugar in alcohol. I am diabetic and think sugar is poison and a massive health problem. There are many reasons for cancer with genetics, obesity, dense breasted women more prone. Alcohol is not the only culprit but the research shows it is a risk. The study was researched over a long period. I think it should be taken seriously

[Kate21]

Exactly, because cancer is a systemic disease, not caused by one factor. This type of research isn’t saying if you drink you’ll get cancer, or eat sugar and you’ll get cancer it’s saying if you do those things you will increase your chance or risk of getting it. There are always stories and cases of people who did everything right but still get it, likewise those who smoke 60 a day and don’t, but for the majority these are factors to consider. Then, as said, if they’re not for you then ignore them and carry on as you wish, but at least it will be an informed choice not one made thinking chocolate and sweets are good for you! 

[Jobey68]

All I know is clean living non smoking, non drinking, non sugar eating people get cancer too , my dear mum included who couldn't have been healthier, We have super fit ladies here who were diagnosed just after running marathons. There is no one size fits all , every walk of life gets cancer so it cannot be down to one factor. Jo xx 

[Kate21]

Cancer is systemic and isn’t the result of one thing, so having drunk or not having drunk alcohol isn’t the only factor. Research shows it does increase your risk of developing, or recurrence of breast cancer. The same with sugar, there is now no doubt processed sugar is a promoter of cancer, if you think the research isn’t conclusive then ask how often over recent years have you seen research saying sugar doesn’t promote cancer? Dairy, cow in particular is another...I don’t understand when research is from a reputable source and repeatedly coming out how we can afford to just ignore or dismiss it, surely it should be respected and considered? Then if it isn’t for you, fair enough ignore it, but make an informed choice, knowing the facts. 

[Jules_91]

This link explained the research well http://www.cancerdietitian.com/2017/05/alcohol-estrogen-breast-cancer-risk-survivorship.html

[Sue C]

Interesting..........I haven't had an alcoholic drink in 30 years, but I still got BC!

Xx

[lisawatson110]

They have 20% more hazard than ladies who don’t drink liquor, over the top liquor utilization is likewise known to build the danger of different diseases.Yes alcohol is cause of breast cancer

[nicolad817]

Definitely some food for thought here! 

[Laineybo]

Hi Mai 7

The wording of your post really struck a chord with me-since my diagnosis  8 years ago I too have spent my days looking at ways to stay alive rather than living. Definitely food  for thought as some days I feel like a machine and have lost spontaneity  so thank you for your post!

Best wishes to all for 2018 x

[Mai7]

Interesting article FECinhell. Thanks for sharing.  I quit alcohol as soon as I was diagnosed.  I also quit dairy products even though there is currently no medical evidence that eating dairy has any connection with BC, I'm not taking any chances as I'm ER/PR+.  

https://www.forksoverknives.com/7-ways-milk-and-dairy-products-are-making-you-sick/#gs.UJ1u09o

oh how we spend so much time now looking at ways to stay alive now rather than living!

[Starfire9]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/01/03/drinking-alcohol-raises-risk-cancer-snapping-dna-scien...

Today x