Penzenka told about the hidden threat of alcohol

When talking about the prevention of breast cancer, usually remember mammography and examinations. But Ekaterina Shindina, a narcologist at the Regional Narcological Hospital, looks at the problem more broadly: it all starts with everyday habits, not with a doctor’s office. And alcohol and tobacco play an important role here – and their harm to the female body is often underestimated.

Many are accustomed to associate alcohol with the liver, and cigarettes with the lungs. However, for breast tissue, these habits are no less dangerous. Dozens of international studies have confirmed a direct link between alcohol and breast cancer. And there is a clear rule: the more drunk, the higher the risk. In the body, alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that damages DNA and prevents cells from repairing themselves. In addition, alcohol raises estrogen levels, and many breast tumors depend on hormones. It turns out that excess estrogen works as a fertilizer for malignant cells.

The numbers are impressive, too. Even one glass of wine or a bottle of beer a day increases the risk by 7-10% compared to those who do not drink. And three servings daily - already 20% or more. The doctor emphasizes: there is no safe dose for the breast, the risk increases from the first sip.

Smoking is no better, although this is less common. For a long time it was believed that tobacco smoke threatened only the lungs. But carcinogens – benzene, polonium, formaldehyde – enter the bloodstream and disperse throughout the body, including the mammary gland. Smoking causes chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, creating fertile ground for mutations. Smoking is especially dangerous when the breast is still forming: toxins disrupt this process and pose risks for decades to come.

Alcohol and cigarettes work together more than they do separately. Their effect does not add up, but multiplies: alcohol helps tobacco carcinogens to penetrate into tissues faster.

There's good news. Giving up bad habits gives a noticeable result quite quickly. After the last cigarette, the risk begins to fall, and after 10-15 years it becomes almost the same as in non-smokers. With alcohol, you can act gradually: reduce doses, choose non-alcoholic options, dilute the wine with water or limit yourself to one or two glasses a week. Healthy weight and sports partially compensate for the harm from rare relaxations, but it is not completely removed.

Breast health consists of many small decisions. Replacing a cigarette and an evening glass of wine with herbal tea is not a limitation, but an easy way to protect yourself.