A study following 100,000 women concluded that those who had three alcoholic beverages a week had a slightly higher risk in developing breast cancer than those who did not drink. Women who averaged three to six drinks a week throughout the study had a 15% higher chance of developing breast cancer than non-drinkers.
While previous studies showed no link between alcohol and breast cancer, the new study had a greater number of subjects and a longer time period — 30 years — compared to the studies which concluded otherwise. Ms. Pace said that alcohol should not be considered the sole factor in the development of breast cancer and added that Europeans consume large amounts of wine, compared to the American population. According to The Wine Institute, in 2009, Americans drank 8.96 liters of wine per capita, while countries such as France, Portugal and Italy consumed 42 to 45 liters of wine per capita.
“Europeans consume more wine than Americans do, yet there are no studies done in Europe linking alcohol to breast cancer,” Ms. Pace said. “Studies have also shown that drinking a glass of wine has health benefits, including protecting your heart. Maybe these studies should also look into other contributing factors, such as the cancer-causing chemicals that people on Long Island use to maintain their lawns. These chemicals find their way into the groundwater, which, in turn, adversely affects the environment.”
For more information, call (631) 675-9003 or visit www.breastcancerhelpinc.org.
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Breast Cancer Help, Inc. is a not-for-profit grass roots organization with a focus on action and advocacy to eradicate breast cancer. Founded in 1994 by Lorraine Pace, a two time breast cancer survivor, and Father Thomas Arnao, Breast Cancer Help, Inc. uses a four pronged approach to promoting education and awareness of breast cancer issues. The first of these prongs is the West Islip breast cancer mapping project initiated by Lorraine Pace, which mobilized patients and pinpointed breast cancer clusters. This original mapping project, which spearheaded the breast cancer environmental movement, has now spread to other parts of New York, the U.S. and internationally. Since its inception, the group’s goal has been to raise awareness and promote education for the cause, treatment, and cure of the disease; while maintaining a focus on action and advocacy to eradicate breast cancer.
