Alcohol

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.

For a summary of research studies on alcohol and breast cancer, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section.

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

1. Know your risk

Talk with both sides of your family to learn about your family health history
Talk with a health care provider about your risk of breast cancer

2. Get screened

Talk with a health care provider about which screening tests are right for you if you are at higher risk
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40
Sign up for your screening reminder at komen.org/reminder

3. Know what is normal for you and see a health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes (see images):

Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
Pulling in of the nipple or other parts of the breast
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
New pain in one spot that doesn't go away

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices

Maintain a healthy weight
Add exercise into your routine
Limit alcohol intake
Limit menopausal hormone therapy (postmenopausal hormone use)
Breastfeed, if you can

Download Komen's Breast Self-Awareness Messages card for more information.