Association between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing breast cancer: a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29289/2594539420250018Keywords:
breast cancer, alcohol, menopause, risk factors, hormonesAbstract
Alcohol use is prevalent in many countries around the world and is a risk factor for several diseases, including cancer. Compared to other organs, breasts appear to be the most susceptible to the carcinogenic effects caused by alcohol. Therefore, the present study aims to verify the association between the consumption of alcoholic beverages and the risk of developing breast cancer (BC). A search was performed on the PubMed/Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Cochrane, Clinical Trials, and Embase platforms, using descriptors relevant to the topic and published in the last 10 years. Of 675 articles, eight were included that described the relationship between alcohol consumption and BC, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Systematic reviews, case reports, and case series were excluded. The research was conducted by two independent reviewers between November and December 2024. The variables studied were menarche, primigravida, menopause, hormones, ethnicity, and alcohol consumption. The data were stored, synthesized, and presented descriptively. The final sample consisted of 306,204 participants. Menopause was the variable that had the greatest impact on the outcome. Alcohol appears to be harmful when consumed in excess of 5 g/day. The studies analyzed showed a positive relationship between alcohol and BC. These data are important to consolidate a literature that impacts the breakdown of the social culture of alcohol consumption, in which women are surrounded.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Siane Silva Cesar, Gabriel Nuñez Costa, Marilia Niedermayer Fagundes, Mary Gomes Silva
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