Breast Cancer - Diet

Folic Acid Cuts Alcohol-Related Breast Cancer Risk
Alcohol is known to increase risk of breast and colon cancer, presumably by blocking the DNA repair actions of the B-vitamin folic acid. New data suggest that women who drink alcohol can counteract some of this increased risk by getting more folic acid through diet or supplements. The Harvard Nurses' Health Study, following 88,818 women from 1980 to 1996, found that breast cancer risk was 24 percent higher for those consuming 15 grams of alcohol or more per day, compared with nondrinkers. However, daily consumption of 600 micrograms of folic acid returned the risk to the level of nondrinkers.

A 12-ounce beer contains 12.8 grams of ethanol. A 4-ounce glass of wine contains 11.0 grams of ethanol. A 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor contains 14.0 grams of ethanol.

Here are some great folic acid sources (micrograms per 1-cup cooked serving): asparagus–176, black beans–256, broccoli–108, chick peas–282, black-eyed peas–356, lentils–358, navy beans–255, pinto beans–294, and spinach–262.

Zhang S, Hunter DJ, Hankinson SE, et al. A prospective study of folate intake and the risk of breast cancer. JAMA. 1999;281:1632-7.

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