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The European Journal of Public Health Advance Access published online on April 18, 2007
The European Journal of Public Health, doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckm036
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© The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Alcohol drinking, consumption patterns and breast cancer among Danish nurses: a cohort study

Lina S. Mørch1, Ditte Johansen1, Lau C. Thygesen1, Anne Tjønneland2, Ellen Løkkegaard1, Claudia Stahlberg3 and Morten Grønbæk1

1 Centre for Alcohol Research, National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark
2 The Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark
3 The Danish Nurse Cohort Study, National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark

Correspondence: Lina Mørch, Centre for Alcohol Research, National Institute of Public Health, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, DK-1399 Copenhagen K, Denmark, tel: +45 21 20 36 70, fax: +45 39 20 80 10, e-mail: Linamorch{at}yahoo.dk

Received March 9, 2007 , accepted March 21, 2007

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of alcohol intake and drinking pattern on the risk of breast cancer. Methods: A total of 17 647 nurses were followed from 1993 until the end of 2001. At baseline participants completed a questionnaire on alcohol intake and other lifestyle-related factors. Data were analysed using Cox's proportional hazard model. Results: During follow-up 457 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. The relative risk of breast cancer was 2.30 [Confidence interval (CI): 1.56–3.39] for alcohol intake of 22–27 drinks per week, compared to 1–3 drinks per week. Among alcohol consumers, weekly alcohol intake increased the risk of breast cancer with 2% for each additional drink consumed. Weekend consumption increased the risk with 4% for each additional drink consumed friday through sunday. Binge drinking of 4–5 drinks the latest weekday increased risk with 55%, compared with consumption of one drink. A possible threshold in risk estimates was found for consumption above 27 drinks per week. Conclusions: For alcohol consumption above the intake most frequently reported, the risk of breast cancer is increased. The risk is minor for moderate levels but increases for each additional drink consumed during the week. Weekend consumption and binge drinking imply an additional increase in breast cancer risk.

Keywords: alcohol, breast cancer, drinking pattern


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The European Journal of Public Health, 26 Apr 2007 [Full text]
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