A glass of wine daily may up breast cancer risk

Drinking just a glass of wine or any other alcoholic beverage everyday may increase the risk of breast cancer, warns new research that analysed data from about 12 million women.

The report also found, for the first time, that vigorous exercise such as running or fast bicycling decreases the risk of breast cancer.

“With this comprehensive and up-to-date report the evidence is clear: Having a physically active lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight throughout life and limiting alcohol – these are all steps women can take to lower their risk,” said Anne McTiernan, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in the US.

The report, by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), analysed about 119 studies, including data on 12 million women and 260,000 cases of breast cancer.

It found strong evidence that drinking the equivalent of a small glass of wine or beer a day (about 10 grammes alcohol content) increases pre-menopausal breast cancer risk by five per cent and post-menopausal breast cancer risk by nine per cent.The report also found that being overweight or obese increases the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer, the most common type of breast cancer. (PTI)