Women who even consume one alcoholic drink per day are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer than their non-drinker counterparts, German researchers say.
After reviewing 100 prior studies, Helmut K. Seitz and colleagues at the University of Heidelberg concluded that a single drink per day raises a women’s breast cancer risk by four percent.
The findings which appeared in the journal
Alcohol and Alcoholism also disclosed that women who had three drinks or more every day raised their risk of developing breast cancer by 40 to 50 percent.
Previous findings had linked drinking and different types of tumors including breast cancer but the new investigation has showed that even a little amount of alcohol can also raise the risk.
Scientists say alcohol increases the levels of female hormone estrogen which is tied to higher breast cancer risk. Alcohol also raises cell damage and the amount of toxic substances in the body.
The European study was published just a few days after a report was released saying that Europeans have the highest level of alcohol consumption worldwide.
According to the world health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission, alcoholic beverage consumption across Europe is almost double the world average.
SJM/TE
