Alcohol consumption increased, especially among women, as the COVID-19 pandemic was prolonged. According to a RAND Corporation study, heavy drinking of women increased by 41 percent.
Heavy drinking is distinguished as four or beyond drinks over a couple of hours. (The study compared a survey that served as a fixed point of reference of 1,540 adults administered in 2019 during spring with their responses during a follow-up in 2020 during spring.)
Alcohol contributes to breast cancer risk. (Photo: YouTube)
October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The month of October presents the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Drink Less for Your Breasts, a social media initiative stands firm as a red flag against the backdrop of pink ribbons. This rings true particularly in the ones printed on alcoholic drink labels. This is the time of year when cocktail menus and rose bottles display the iconic ribbon and a number of craft brewers color their beer pink. However, Drink Less for Your Breasts provide a reminder to women that alcohol increases the susceptibility to breast cancer.
Any Kind of Alcohol Increases Risk of Breast Cancer
There is affirming proof that drinking all types of alcohol bolsters the vulnerability of developing some cancers. These include cancers of the breast, bowel, throat, mouth, liver, and esophagus. Also, alcohol is high in energy and could contribute to heavier weight. Being beyond a healthy weight is connected with higher cancer susceptibility as well, reported Cancer Council.
Cancer frequency because of chronic alcohol consumption increases globally. Alcohol was a factor for 3.6% of all cancers in 2002. The rate surged to 5.5% in 2012, reported MDPI.
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Estimate of Breast Cancer Cases for 2021
It is surmised that 284,200 new invasive breast cancer cases will be diagnosed and that almost 44,130 breast cancer fatalities will transpire this 2021. To acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Month, public health authorities are diligently proffering education on the significance of early detection, breast cancer screenings, and healthy living.
Other Factors That Influence Risk of Developing Breast Cancer
For people who are unaware of the susceptibility, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expounds that the susceptibility of being diagnosed with breast cancer is affected by several factors:
- Getting older
- Genetic mutations
- Reproductive history
- Having dense breasts
- Personal history of breast cancer or non-cancerous breast illnesses
- Family history of breast cancer
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