Many studies show drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer [21].
A pooled analysis of data from 53 studies found for each alcoholic drink consumed per day, the relative risk of breast cancer increased by about 7 percent [21].
Women who had 2-3 alcoholic drinks per day had a 20 percent higher risk of breast cancer compared to women who didn’t drink alcohol [21].
Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers more than it increases the risk of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancers [22-23].
Learn about alcohol use in the teen years and breast cancer risk.
Learn about alcohol and breast cancer survival.
Learn more about diet and breast cancer.
Alcohol, estrogen and breast cancer risk
Alcohol can change the way a woman's body metabolizes estrogen (how estrogen works in the body). This can cause blood estrogen levels to rise.
Estrogen levels are higher in women who drink alcohol than in non-drinkers [19]. These higher estrogen levels may in turn, increase the risk of breast cancer [19].
Learn more about estrogen and breast cancer risk.
Low to moderate alcohol use in healthy adults
No one should drink a lot of alcohol.
Drinking low to moderate amounts of alcohol, however, may lower the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and death [24-25].
However, drinking more than 1 drink per day (for women) and more than 2 drinks per day (for men) has no health benefits and many serious health risks, including breast cancer [26].
Talk with your health care provider about the potential health benefits and risks of drinking low to moderate amounts of alcohol.
Komen Perspective
Read our perspective on alcohol and breast cancer risk.*
Learn More
Download Komen's Breast Self-Awareness Messages card for more information.