Breast cancer and Alcohol-Role of alcohol
Breast cancer and Alcohol-Definition
Breast cancer is that which forms in tissues of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts (thin tubes that carry milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple).
Another type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the breast ducts or lobules to surrounding normal tissue. Breast cancer occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.
Breast cancer and Alcohol-Potential link between alcohol consumption and the cancer
Scientists looking at particular enzyme found a biological molecule that accelerates chemical reactions known as CYP2E1. Their findings offer a possible target to improve outcomes for patients in the later stages of the disease.
This enzyme, known as CYP2E1, has been implicated in various liver diseases linked to alcohol consumption, Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD), as well as diabetes, obesity and cancer. That is Breast Cancer and Alcohol are closely linked.
They wanted to understand why an enzyme known to function mainly in the liver was found to be heavily present in some types of breast cancer tissues. They also wanted to explore what other activities this enzyme might have that control the development of breast cancer. Their findings revealed that the enzyme breaks down various molecules within cells, including alcohol. The by-products of this metabolism include reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in something called oxidative stress, in normal physiological conditions this aids cellular functions, whereas when concentrations of ROS are high or oxidative stress becomes chronic, cells can be seriously damaged. Breast Cancer and Alcohol are closely related.
Previous studies have shown that the enzyme is most strongly expressed in early stages of breast tumors rather than more developed tumors and scientists believe that it contributes to the progression of breast cancer.
The study, published in Breast Cancer Research, found that depending on the stage of the breast cancer, high levels of the enzyme can help cells survive during stress. It was also found that inhibiting the activity of the enzyme in cells with high migratory potential promoted cell migration a process linked to cancer spreading known as metastasis.
Breast cancer and Alcohol-Causes and risk factors
We have not fully understood the causes of breast cancer, as a result of this may be difficult to say with certainty why one woman may develop breast cancer and another may not. However the risk factors are known, some of these can change the likelihood that someone may develop breast cancer. There are some factors you cannot do anything about, but there are some you can change.
Alcohol
Your risk of developing breast cancer can increase with the amount of alcohol you drink. Research shows that, for every 200 women who regularly have two alcoholic drinks a day, there are three more women with breast cancer compared with women who do not drink at all. That study confirms that Breast Cancer and Alcohol has a cause and effect relationship.
Age
The risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. Breast cancer is most common among women over 50 who have been through the menopause. 8 out of 10 breast cancer cases occur in women over 50.
All women between 50 and 70 years of age should be screened for breast cancer every three years as part of the NHS Breast Screening programme. Women over the age of 70 are still eligible to be screened and can arrange this through their GP or local screening unit. Currently, there are ongoing pilot studies looking at widening the screening age range to 47-73.
Family history
If you have close relatives who have had breast cancer or ovarian cancer, you may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. However, as breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, it is possible for it to occur more than once in the same family by chance.
Most breast cancer cases are not hereditary. However, particular genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase your risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer. It is possible for these genes to be passed on from a parent to their child. If you have, for example, two or more close relatives from the same side of your family who have had breast cancer under the age of 50, you may be eligible for surveillance for breast cancer or for genetic screening to look for the genes that make developing breast cancer more likely.
Previous diagnosis of breast cancer
If you have previously had breast cancer or early non-invasive cancer cell changes contained within breast ducts, you have a higher risk of developing it again, either in your other breast or in the same breast again.
Previous benign breast lump
A benign breast lump does not mean you have breast cancer, but certain types of lump may slightly increase your risk of developing it. Certain benign changes in your breast tissue, such as atypical ductal hyperplasia (cells growing abnormally in ducts) or lobular carcinoma in situ (abnormal cells inside your breast lobes), can make getting breast cancer more likely. If you drink alcohol specially more than 2 glasses per day it will increase your risk to develop breast cancer. Breast cancer and alcohol go hand in hand.
Breast density
Your breasts are made up of thousands of tiny glands (lobules), which produce milk. This glandular tissue contains a higher concentration of breast cells than other breast tissue, making it denser. Women with denser breast tissue may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer because there are more cells that can become cancerous. This is specially true if you drink alcohol regularly. Breast cancer and alcohol have been closely associated.
Dense breast tissue can also make a breast scan (mammogram) harder to read because it makes any lumps or areas of abnormal tissue harder to spot. Younger women tend to have denser breasts. As you get older, the amount of glandular tissue in your breasts decreases and is replaced by fat, so your breasts become less dense.
Being overweight or obese
Breast Cancer and Alcohol; The role of Alcohol is more pronounced if you have been through the menopause and are overweight or obese, you may be more at risk of developing breast cancer. This is thought to be linked to the amount of estrogen in your body, as being overweight or obese after the menopause causes more estrogen to be produced.
Being tall
If you are taller than average, you are more likely to develop breast cancer than someone who is shorter than average. This may be due to interactions between genes, nutrition and hormones, but the reason is not fully understood.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. Both combined HRT and estrogen-only HRT can increase your risk of developing breast cancer, although the risk is slightly higher if you take combined HRT. When you are considering HRT pay attention to the fact that Breast Cancer and Alcohol may play a role in Breast cancer development with HRT.
It is estimated there will be an extra 19 cases of breast cancer for every 1,000 women taking combined HRT for 10 years. The risk continues to increase slightly the longer you take HRT, but returns to normal once you stop taking it.
Breast cancer and Alcohol-Role of alcohol
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