[Alcohol and breast cancer. A short survey].

Regular consumption of alcohol increases the risk of developing (one or more of) several malignant conditions: the frequency of tumours in the aerodigestive tract, in the liver, in the colorectal region and in the breast is increased. The principal carcinogen component of alcoholic drinks is ethanol itself; the effect is unmistakably proportional to the daily/weekly dosage. Under the influence of alcohol-dehydrogenase, ethanol will metabolise to acetaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. Among other things chronic alcohol consumption promotes the production of endogen hormones, affects the insulin-like growth factor-1, alters several biological pathways, raises oxidative stress, and damages the genes. Even modest daily alcohol intake will increase the risk of breast cancer.