All types of alcohol increases breast cancer risk, according to the research study Kaiser medical care programme, California. Researchers analyzed the drinking habits of 70,033 women of various races and asked them questions during health exams between 1978 and 1985. They looked at which types of alcohol the women drank and also their total alcohol intake. They compared that to women who had less than one drink a day.  Amount of alcohol consumed is more significant than type of alcohol in causing breast cancer. There is no difference in breast cancer risk whether women drank red wine or white wine. Heavy drinkers (one or two drinks per day) have 10% raise in the risk of developing breast cancer than light drinkers (less than 1 drink a day). Women who take more than 3 drinks per day will have 30% increase in breast cancer risk.  Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 US women and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in American women, according to National Institute of Health. Globally, more than 1.2 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer and it kills 0.5 million women.     Genetics, Obesity, age, Hormone Replacement Therapy and Birth control pills play crucial roles in causing breast cancer.     4% of all breast cancer cases are due to alcoholism, according to a report published in the British Journal of Cancer. But, red wine can protect against heart attacks by increasing good cholesterol (HDL Cholesterol), reducing blood clotting and reducing diabetes, according to the same researchers.  Even though this research cleared some myths on the alcohol effects, controversy will continue unless major cancer organizations issue uniform guidelines on the effects of alcohol on breast cancer. … [Read more...]