The Surprising Link Between Alcohol and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer has become the most common cancer globally. Europe has the highest rate of new breast cancer diagnoses

In honor of breast cancer awareness month, shouldn’t we be aware of one of the most common causes of breast cancer?

According to data from The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), alcohol may be the main culprit behind breast cancer in women. The IARC classifies alcohol as a Group 1 human carcinogen, and it is linked to seven types of cancer.

Alcohol can, not only increase the risk of breast cancer, it can also increase the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, voice box and large intestine and rectum.

According to WHO, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

“Simply put, alcohol is toxic. It harms every organ while it passes through the body,” said Dr Carina Ferreira Borges, Acting Director for Noncommunicable Diseases and Program Manager for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs at WHO/Europe.