Changes in patterns of use of cigarettes and alcohol in women after a first diagnosis of invasive breast cancer: a cohort study of women from Victoria, Australia.

Purpose: Smoking and alcohol consumption after breast cancer diagnosis have received little attention. The aim of this study was to describe the change in smoking and alcohol consumption of women in the BUPA Health Foundation Health and Wellbeing After Breast Cancer Study in the first 2 years after diagnosis.

Methods: We documented cigarette and alcohol use at diagnosis in a prospective cohort study of 1,588 Australian women with invasive breast cancer in an enrolment questionnaire and again 2 years later (follow-up questionnaire, FQ1).

Results: Twelve percent of participants smoked at diagnosis. Nearly one third of these had quit by FQ1 and of those continuing, 1 in 4 were smoking fewer cigarettes per day. Smoking more at diagnosis was significantly associated with smoking at FQ1.Over 70% of women reported consuming alcohol in each questionnaire. The proportion of women consuming more than four alcoholic drinks per occasion at least weekly dropped between the time of diagnosis and FQ1, although by FQ1, 1 in 12 women still reported this drinking pattern.

Conclusions: Smoking and alcohol consumption are important health issues for women with breast cancer. Health care providers should consider using evidence-based interventions to reduce smoking and drinking in this group.