I am going on a cruise (for a big birthday), which I have been looking forward to for more than a year.
Since booking the cruise, I have been diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer, had a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and taking Anastrozole.
I have not drank any alcohol since my diagnosis as I am so afraid of a reoccurrence, but I want to enjoy this cruise with a drink or two.
If I do decide to have a drink will it increase the risk of my cancer returning ?
What advice, if any, have others been given ?
Hi Eljat , I think you’ll get a range of responses to this question. I can only say what I understand to be the case (I’m not a medic) and talk from my own experience.
So, my understanding is that alcohol is considered to play a part in the development of some breast cancers. From what I’ve read, this is widely accepted to be the case. But what seems to be less clear is how much it may play a part in recurrence. Generally speaking, facts and figures regarding recurrence generally are quite hard to come by.
For my own part, I’ve chosen not to have any alcohol at all, since my diagnosis back in 2018. But I’d never say that’s the ‘right’ approach for anyone else. For me it feels like it’s not worth the risk that it might be a factor in recurrence. I don’t miss alcohol and have actually found that other people are more the problem! I’ve lost count of how often I’ve been asked if I’d like ‘just the one glass’.
But for some people that drink would be an important part of a holiday, special occasion or whatever, and they wouldn’t want to be as hardline as me. And given that we all react differently to drugs and even foods, I suspect that some people’s genetic makeup means that alcohol has no effect on their chances of getting cancer or a recurrence anyway! But because I don’t know for sure, I err on the side of caution.
For me it’s also part of a wider approach that makes me feel more in control. I’ve revised my diet and do a lot more exercise than I did before cancer. I’m lucky though that I’m now retired so am able to choose how I spend my time!
Sorry for the rambling response - I blame the Anastrozole for my inability to be concise!
Forgot to say - re being given advice re alcohol: no direct advice from any of the medical team. But I attended a session with a dietitian at Future Dreams House in London (strongly recommend this lovely place and they do online stuff as well as in person). She recommended no alcohol for anyone with oestrogen positive breast cancer.
In the end I think it’s a very individual choice. I’ve made mine but would also say don’t beat yourself up about it if you’d really like a few drinks on your special cruise. We need to enjoy our lives all the more when it’s been threatened by cancer! Love and hugs, HFxx
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