From diet to household items, what increases the risk of breast cancer? There are many misconceptions among them. Some are known factors (like genetics), which are well founded. But what about issues like having a cocktail at night or using body deodorant as part of your lifestyle? So what factors actually increase the risk of breast cancer and which ones don’t? Dr. Wendy Chen, a breast cancer specialist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, says the flood of information is confusing and often somewhat misinformed. She answers some of the more common questions about breast cancer risk, explains the research behind the answers and offers some tips for reducing breast cancer risk. 1. Soy may increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence – Wrong. Dr. Chen said eating soy may have little to do with the risk of breast cancer recurrence after observing a study of 9,500 U.S. and Chinese breast cancer patients who ate soy daily while she was part of the study team. “Many of my patients undergoing breast cancer treatment ask if they can eat soy and soy foods,” Dr. Chen said. “But studies show soy is harmless.” The study showed that women who took at least 10 mg of soy isoflavones daily had a 25 percent reduction in the chance of recurrence, as well as a slight reduction in all-cause mortality and breast cancer-specific mortality. “This study gives some comfort to women who like to consume soy and don’t want to avoid it after being diagnosed with breast cancer. It is then important to point out that it is too early to conclude that more soy will benefit,” Dr. Chen said. Dr. Chen said. 2. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer – Correct. Dana-Farber researchers found that women who drink one alcoholic beverage a day may increase their risk of breast cancer. “Women should consider the effects of alcohol on potentially increasing breast cancer risk when weighing the benefits and risks of drinking alcohol,” said Dr. Chen, who is the lead author of the study. “Our study suggests that even moderate alcohol consumption by some women may increase their risk of breast cancer.” Chen and her colleagues analyzed data from more than 105,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS). Women who drank three to six glasses of wine a week had a 15 percent increased incidence of breast cancer. “It’s important to emphasize the benefits of having an occasional cocktail or glass of wine.” Dr. Chen said. “This doesn’t just mean how much people drink in the short term but how much they drink regularly over a long period of time.” 3. fertility treatments increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer – wrong. According to a recent NIH study, fertility treatment with Clomid and follicular estrogen (FSH) to induce ovulation did not significantly increase the risk of breast cancer in women. However, the study did reveal a difference in cancer risk regardless of whether the patient became pregnant on the basis of fertility treatment. “We ask this question a lot no matter what time of year it is,” Dr. Chen said. So far, for women, I would say the study has been reassuring. The study showed that women who took fertility drugs (but were not pregnant) had a slightly lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who were at least 10 weeks pregnant. In these cases, the women’s risk of breast cancer was only slightly higher but still not higher than that of the average woman. However, Dr. Chen stressed that larger studies are still needed. 4. The use of deodorant can increase the risk of breast cancer – wrong. According to the NCI, there are no conclusive studies linking the use of deodorant to breast cancer. Some studies suggest that aluminum-containing compounds (often used in antiperspirants) may be absorbed through the skin and cause estrogen-like effects, which can increase the risk of breast cancer. Other studies have shown no link, and the NCI believes that further research may be needed. “I agree with the NCI on this issue – more research needs to be done,” Dr. Chen said. “Although there is no clear link, this issue is often brought up; it’s a matter of personal choice.” 5. the older the baby, the higher the breast cancer risk – probably correct. This is a difficult question because the relevant research is still ongoing,” Dr. Chen said. But the latest research suggests that mothers with larger babies have more than twice the risk of breast cancer as mothers who conceive smaller babies. Researchers say conceiving a heavier baby may change the hormonal environment during pregnancy, which can later lead to breast cancer. They found that women who had heavier babies had unusually high ratios of estrogen to anti-estrogen during pregnancy. The higher the level of estrogen, the higher the risk of breast cancer. However, Dr. Chen emphasized, “Mothers with larger babies should not be alarmed. Undoubtedly this will have to be studied further.” She says it is important for women to maintain a good diet and weight level before, during and after pregnancy. The best way to reduce breast cancer risk, Dr. Chen said, “is for women to maintain good communication with their primary care physicians, oncologists and nurses,” “who will provide the best advice based on the individual patient’s needs. But overall, the best way for a woman to reduce breast cancer is to get enough exercise, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, drink moderately, get a mammogram once a year at age 40 or older, and seek prompt medical attention if there are any significant changes.”