14 out of 100 women who take part in common habit every week will develop breast cancer
By McKenzie Beard
Talk about a booby trap.
Experts are sounding the alarm about a popular pastime that could significantly increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
The warning comes as more and more women are indulging in this everyday vice, which poses an even greater threat to those who are postmenopausal.
A senior woman undergoing a mammography scan with a technician.
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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the US, except for skin cancers.
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Breast cancer is one of six cancers linked to alcohol, and studies show the more you drink, the higher your risk climbs.
In fact, around 14 out of every 100 women who down two bottles of wine a week — about 10 glasses — will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, according to Dr. Harriet Rumgay, an epidemiologist with the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
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That figure doesn’t even factor in other risks like weight, genetics or smoking habits, she told The Telegraph.
That’s troubling news for the 6.5 million U.S. women ages 18 and older who reported heavy alcohol use in 2023 — defined as four or more drinks on any day or eight or more per week.
Woman sipping red wine.
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Young women are drinking more alcohol in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The danger is even greater for postmenopausal women, who face a 27% higher risk of developing breast cancer if they drink two bottles of wine a week, according to Rumgay.
While the exact reason isn’t fully clear, experts believe age and shifting hormone levels likely play a key role.
By contrast, only 11 out of 100 female teetotalers are expected to develop the disease.
But don’t think you’re off the hook if you don’t drink heavily. One study found women who have just one drink per day face roughly a 10% higher breast cancer risk than non-drinkers.
The exact reason alcohol raises breast cancer risk isn’t fully understood, but scientists have identified several ways it may wreak havoc on the body.
Mammogram images displayed on a computer screen during a breast screening procedure.
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Drinking alcohol could set the stage for cell damage that increases cancer risk.
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When alcohol is consumed, it’s broken down into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde — and the more you drink, the more of it builds up.
Over time, this substance can damage DNA and interfere with the body’s ability to repair cells, setting the stage for cancer, according to the World Cancer Research Fund.
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Booze can also trigger oxidative stress, another process that harms cells and raises cancer risk.
On top of that, alcohol interferes with how the body absorbs key nutrients like folate, a vitamin crucial for keeping cells healthy. Low folate levels have been linked to a greater risk of several cancers, including breast cancer, according to Medical News Today.
Alcohol also ramps up estrogen levels — a hormone that plays a central role in breast tissue growth and development. More estrogen means a higher risk of breast cancer.
And don’t forget the calories. Alcohol is packed with them, and excess body fat can also increase cancer risk by raising estrogen, insulin and other hormones that fuel cell growth.
Red wine being poured into a glass.
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The federal government is set to reevaluate its recommendations for safe drinking levels later this year.
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The link between booze and breast cancer is especially troubling as alcohol consumption among women has surged in recent years.
A 2023 report found women who turned 35 between 2018 and 2019 were nearly 60% more likely to report binge drinking or symptoms of alcohol use disorder than women who turned 35 between 1993 and 1997.
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At the same time, breast cancer rates in the US are rising about 1% each year, especially among women under 50. Experts say increased drinking could be one of several factors — along with obesity and later childbirth — fueling the trend.
Current US dietary guidelines recommend women limit themselves to one drink per day. However, that advice could soon change, as the federal government is set to re-evaluate safe alcohol consumption later this year.
In 2025, the American Cancer Society estimates that 316,950 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the US, and 42,170 women will die from the disease.
Alcohol use is expected to be linked to 6% of those diagnoses — and 4% of the deaths, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
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