In December 2017 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess the relationship between alcohol and mortality in 1116 women with breast cancer. All individuals had a family history of breast cancer. Alcohol consumption (beer, wine, spirits) was based on the average number of drinks per week reported from age 12. During an average follow-up of 9 years there were a total of 211 total deaths, 58 of which were from breast cancer. Results showed that low, moderate or a high levels of alcohol intake did not appear to be associated with greater overall mortality, breast cancer-specific mortality or non-breast cancer-specific mortality when compared to non-drinkers.
Zeinomar N et al. Alcohol consumption and breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality in women diagnosed with breast cancer at the New York site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry. PLoS One. 2017 Dec 15;12(12) [Epub ahead of print]