How many times have we heard that three drinks or more per week may increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer? I feel like it’s been the breast cancer awareness mantra, I’ve heard it so much.
But now, now, a new study is indicating that “women who reported having three to six alcoholic drinks a week before getting cancer were around 15 percent less likely to die of the disease than non-drinker.”
15%?! Holy smokes. Everyone to the bar!
Not really.
What I am curious to know is how many women read these studies and change their lifestyle accordingly. Do you? If you look at these two studies does it make you wonder if the breast cancer was caused by their drinking or if their drinking will save their lives?
It’s mind-numbing. The Internet has given us so much information, and most of us know by now, not all of it’s reliable or consistent.
I’m not saying either of these studies are true or false, but what I am inferring is that we can take it all with a grain o’salt of common sense.
Here’s what I think:
#1) I like an occasional drink (yes, I know it appears as if i drink lots, but it’s mostly fun schtick)
#2) I have a healthy lifestyle…FOR THE MOST PART! Gosh.
#3) If I am diagnosed with breast cancer, I know that not one doctor or researcher will be able to conclusively tell me if it was caused by genetics or environment or a combination of both.
#4) Studies are great, but I will not shape my life based on their info. Too often a study comes along to refute the one before it. Remember these: Coffee is bad! Coffee is an antioxidant! I continued to drink coffee even when folks advised me it was bad for me. Turns out I was right…today!
#5) I plan on enjoying my life by employing an “all things in moderation” mantra. Unless it involves cake. My cake love is not schtick; it’s fact!
What say you?
Perimenopause Can Suck It #11: Breast Cancer and Heart Disease Risks
Friday 19th of December 2014
[…] Avoid excessive alcohol. I wrote THIS POST a year or so back that talks about a study involving drinking and breast cancer survival rates, but […]
Carol Covin
Monday 29th of April 2013
I think moderation is the right approach. I have noticed recently, however, that if I drink more than one drink, or sometimes even a single drink, my cheeks get pink. Since I know inflammation is a risk factor for cancer, I am now drinking half glasses of wine, or wine mixed in with a smoothie or the juice from a freshly-squeezed orange.
Mrs. Tucker
Monday 29th of April 2013
Health-conscious spritzers! You may be on to something!
Donna
Monday 29th of April 2013
As a breast cancer survivor who had NO obvious risk factors I will only say that you absolutely should continue to get yearly mammograms. My invasive stage 2 cancer was discovered one year and one day after my last mammogram by my next one. It would not have been found by self examination. Mammograms DO save lives. One saved mine.
Mrs. Tucker
Monday 29th of April 2013
I'm so glad your was found. It's scary that there is nothing definitive to point to as a cause for breast cancer, or any cancer.
natashalh
Friday 26th of April 2013
As another commenter said, these people change their minds every other year about what's good and bad! Fats, eggs, dairy, wheat, carbs, coffee - I can't keep track of all the people who say one is good and the other bad! As for breast cancer, I know I have a genetic predisposition to it, but I don't think enough is known about any external factors to really say one thing will cause it or another will prevent it. I just make sure I go in for my annual exam, even though I'm in my 20s, and hope for the best!
Mrs. Tucker
Friday 26th of April 2013
You can only move forward with what is known (good diet, exercise, moderation in all) and hope for the best. Here's hoping you are never diagnosed.
Grandma Kc
Wednesday 24th of April 2013
Do you remember back in the late 70s or early 80s when eggs were bad for us, bacon would kill us and coffee was about the worst thing ever! What were we supposed to eat for breakfast? And really -- does anyone want to be around me if I haven't had my coffee -- NO!!!!!!!!!
Everything in moderation. I do think we should try and avoid fast food and we should try and eat better in general but like you said -- whatever the study says today will be refuted by the study that comes out tomorrow!
Mrs. Tucker
Wednesday 24th of April 2013
Wait! Avoid fast food? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?! A world without hot McDonald's french fries, Sonic tater-tots, or Wienerchnitzel Chili-cheese dogs is a world I can't imagine...