HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Alcohol increases breast cancer risk by 10% and 40%

StephN · 10-13-2007, 01:16 PM

I am in with those who say a bit of alcohol in moderation adds to their quality of life. Can recall some gals here posting on another "alcohol thread" that they needed a glass or two of wine to help them sleep after their diagnosis.

During treatment my med onc was all for a glass of wine with dinner. He also recommended the folic acid, which I no longer use as a supplement by itself, but get in other ways. Again the taste buds were badly affected as well as stomach acid from the chemos. Managed to enjoy lighter wines such as Beaujolais and low alcohol German wines or from the Loire Valley.

This quote from the article in Vic's link was something I noticed in some other research:

Indeed, wine, beer and spirits can cause both the increase in breast cancer risk and the reduction in heart disease risk. In lab studies alcohol increases the amount of the female hormone estrogen, which could account for its effects on both heart disease and breast cancer.

Being estogen neg, my question was answered.

10-13-2007, 01:16 PM	#6
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Estrogen neg - no harm done I am in with those who say a bit of alcohol in moderation adds to their quality of life. Can recall some gals here posting on another "alcohol thread" that they needed a glass or two of wine to help them sleep after their diagnosis. During treatment my med onc was all for a glass of wine with dinner. He also recommended the folic acid, which I no longer use as a supplement by itself, but get in other ways. Again the taste buds were badly affected as well as stomach acid from the chemos. Managed to enjoy lighter wines such as Beaujolais and low alcohol German wines or from the Loire Valley. This quote from the article in Vic's link was something I noticed in some other research: Indeed, wine, beer and spirits can cause both the increase in breast cancer risk and the reduction in heart disease risk. In lab studies alcohol increases the amount of the female hormone estrogen, which could account for its effects on both heart disease and breast cancer. Being estogen neg, my question was answered. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.