The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2010, over 207,000 new diagnoses of breast cancer were made, and approximately 40,000 individuals died from the disease. Daily alcohol consumption has been linked to the disease as a possible risk factor, and folic acid may help mitigate this risk. Before taking folic acid supplements, talk with your oncologist about your drinking and whether supplements are safe and appropriate for you.
Folic Acid
Folic acid, also known as vitamin B-9, is a vitamin that helps the body produce new cells and maintain healthy DNA. According to the American Cancer Society, low levels of folic acid can lead to changes in DNA, which impacts cell division and may lead to cancer. It is especially important for women who are trying to conceive and those who are pregnant, as folic acid helps reduce the risk of open neural tube defects like spina bifida. Dietary sources of folic acid include fortified grains, citrus fruits, and dark green, leafy vegetables. Alcoholics are especially at risk of a folic acid deficiency because alcohol prevents the body from optimally absorbing the nutrient and increases its rate of excretion, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements states.
Alcohol Consumption
A study by C. Allemani and colleagues published in the March-April 2011 issue of "Tumori" found that women with breast cancer who drank more than 13 g of alcohol daily had a significantly lower 10-year survival rate than their counterparts who did not drink alcohol. A study by M.L. Kwan and colleagues published in the October 2010 "Journal of Clinical Oncology" found that breast cancer survivors who drank 6 g of alcohol daily had a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence than those women who did not drink at all, especially for postmenopausal women.
Folic Acid and Alcohol
Consuming folic acid supplements does not lower your breast cancer risk, but if you drink alcohol daily, supplements may help reduce the increased risk of breast cancer that accompanies daily alcohol consumption. A study by L. Baglietto and colleagues published in August 2005 in the "British Medical Journal" found that while no effect on overall breast cancer risk was found, a high intake of folate was shown to possibly lower the heightened risk of developing breast cancer in those who drank alcohol daily. More research needs to be done to further evaluate the interactions between folic acid and alcohol and how they affect the risk of developing breast cancer or breast cancer recurrence and prognosis.
Warning
Do not take folic acid supplements without first talking with your oncologist. Some vitamins may interact with chemotherapy drugs or radiation, and your doctor can provide you with any information on possible risks. If you are concerned about your drinking or want to know if your drinking may be excessive, tell your doctor about your alcohol consumption. She may recommend therapy or support groups; you do not have to do this alone.
References
- "Tumori"; Do Pre-Diagnostic Drinking Habits Influence Breast Cancer Survival?; C Allemani, et al.; March-April 2011
- American Cancer Society: Folic Acid
- "Journal of Clinical Oncology"; Alcohol Consumption and Breast Cancer Recurrence and Survival Among Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer: The Life After Cancer Epidemiology Study; M.L. Kwan, et al.; October 2010
- Breastcancer.org: Folic Acid
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Folate
- "British Medical Journal"; Does Dietary Folate Intake Modify Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Breast Cancer Risk? Prospective Cohort Study; L. Baglietto, et al.; August 2005
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