For Women, To Drink or not to Drink, That is the Question

The Nurses Health Study out of Harvard has shown that two drinks a day, regardless of whether they are beer, wine or other alcohol, increase the risk of breast cancer. However, the same intake of alcohol reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. The mechanism is unknown, but the authors speculate that the cancer risk has something to do with circulating levels of estrogens. The CV benefit might be due to stress reduction. Look at your family history to see which of the risks predominates, and perhaps act accordingly. See JAMA (click here)2011;306:1884-90.