[Medical Q&A] Are smoking and drinking the “invisible drivers” of breast cancer risk?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Kong Xiangyi, deputy chief physician, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Did you know that smoking and drinking can both increase your risk of breast cancer?

First, let's talk about drinking. A large number of studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between alcohol consumption and the risk of breast cancer. Simply put, the more you drink, the higher the risk. And smoking is also not to be ignored. Female smokers are more likely to develop breast cancer than non-smokers.

So, some people have raised questions: Among female smokers, many also drink alcohol. Will this lead to statistical bias? The relationship between smoking and breast cancer may be simply because smokers are often also drinkers. But after in-depth statistical analysis, even if the influence of drinking is excluded, smoking alone has been proven to significantly increase the risk of breast cancer.

Therefore, for the sake of health, it is strongly recommended that female friends do not smoke and drink. Quitting smoking and drinking can not only reduce the risk of breast cancer, but also bring you an overall healthier life. For the sake of your health and your future, you should stay away from tobacco and alcohol.