Breast cancer and alcohol anxiety

Hi everyone,

i am really sorry to post here when I don't currently have breast cancer, I'm just not sure where else to turn.

I am 29 and have just recently discovered the link between breast cancer and alcohol. I am totally shocked and now riddled with anxiety as I have drunk throughout my 20s - what with uni and living in London for the past few years, all social events (1 or 2 per week generally) have included alcohol to some degree or another. Based on estimates, I think I have drunk slightly over 14 units (likely around 16 units) a week when averaged out over the years, perhaps more, and I can't believe the link between drink and breast cancer is so unknown! 

I have not drunk since I found out and I don't intend to drink again, but have read that this won't reduce my risk, and that drinking in your 20s is particularly impactful for pre-menopausal breast cancer. I just feel like a ticking time bomb now and really struggling to come to terms with it. 

I generally exercise 5ish times a week and am not overweight, but it seems that alcohol is so damaging that I'm not sure this matters.

I am not sure what I am asking for really, but I just wanted to see what others felt - I am so anxious I'm struggling to function as normal. 

  • Hi there, 

    I am 46 and was diagnosed last week with Grade 3 invasive ductal cancer which will be treated with chemo, surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. I never thought I had a risk of breast cancer, having none of the risk factors, no family history, breastfed both children, never taken the pill....I was a light drinker (probably 4 to 6 units a week). I have now cut that out as well as it was the only risk factor I had. The surgeon said that that seems like a good idea. I keep trying to work out what it was I did or did not do to cause the cancer, but when I asked the surgeon, she said that simply 1 in 8 women get breast cancer and 1 in 4 if there is a family history. 
     

    Most of my friends drink way more than I ever have and yet I'm the one with the cancer. So, what I suppose I am trying to say is that I don't think they know what causes it to be honest. I wouldn't worry about past damage, but if it you are happy to be teetotal from now on, it certainly won't harm you. Take care. X

     

     

  • Hi Hopeful2021, 

    Firstly, I am so sorry that you have breast cancer, and I think that reaching out to me and offering support shows your strength of character, and how kind you are. 

    I hope your treatment goes as well as it can - I know several people who have had similar treatments to yours and are absolutely thriving now. 

    Good luck, and if ever I could comfort you like you have done for me, please do drop me a messag here. X

  • I am so glad to have offered you some comfort. I do think it is just luck of the draw. Xx

  • Hiya, 

    Just nipped on here to have a nosey. I'm 48, was diagnosed last Feb with Grade 1 invasive ductal. I had surgery, then chemo in the summer and radiotherapy in September. My mum and her mum had breast cancer (Nan died 27 years later of something else) My mum had hers when she was 36 and is now 75...we do not have the faulty gene.

    I asked my cancer nurse... is it because I've not had children and because I like a beer....she said that it really wasn't...It really is just common.

    Please don't worry too much...just be BODY AWARE..and check yourself regularly...Keeping yourself healthy and stopping drinking is a good start...be happy x

  • Hi MilosMum,

    Thanks so much for your message, I'm very pleased you were feeling nosey! 

    very helpful advice. I'm so pleased that there are places on the internet with so much kindness. Xx