Can the age you had your first alcoholic drink affect your risk of breast cancer?

It’s a hard truth to hear, but women actually have a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime.

And it feels like we’re seemingly surrounded by a minefield of cancer-causing factors. After all, recent studies have surfaced that seemingly innocuous everyday items like contraceptives and even lip balm have been tied to an increased risk of cancer.

No surprises here, but apparently your alcohol intake – or more precisely, when you’ve had your first drink – can increase your risk of developing breast cancer.

HOW FIRST SIP OF ALCOHOL AFFECTS YOUR CANCER RISK

The highest risk of breast cancer for women coincides around the time from her first period to her first pregnancy, which makes it crucial that women spend these years minimising the risk of the cancer.

Breast cells in women rapidly multiply between their teenage years and their first pregnancy, as shared by breast surgeon Heidi Memmel to Readers’ Digest. Any potentially cancerous cells during this period are growing at a fast pace, which makes your young adult years a crucial period to reduce your risk.

A woman’s breast tissue goes through biological changes after pregnancy that makes their cells more resistant to cancer, explaining why non-childbearing women, or women who have children later in life, are more at risk of cancer than those who have them younger.

The link between alcohol and breast cancer isn’t fully fleshed out, although the commonly accepted theory is that it affects the estrogen and estrogen receptors in the breast tissue.

According to Dr. Memmel, there is a significant increase in breast cancer risk when you consume alcohol before you hit 30 – especially so if you started drinking at an early age. A study published in Women’s Health found that consuming alcohol before your first pregnancy actually increases your risk of breast cancer, with a 7 to 10% increased risk for each drink consumed daily.

I HAD MY FIRST DRINK EARLY – SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?

Now, even if you’ve had your first sip fairly early, there are other factors at play – more importantly, your drinking patterns right now as an adult. Binge drinking, in particular, which is defined as having four or more drinks in two hours, can dramatically increase your risk of breast cancer.

If anything, the message is crystal clear: don’t be tempted to knock back those glasses of wine and spirits during happy hour, ladies.

Sarah Khan 

Photo: Getty Images

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