Alcohol drinking, consumption patterns and breast cancer among Danish nurses: a cohort study

Lifetime alcohol consumption patterns and young-onset breast cancer by subtype among Non-Hispanic Black and White women in the Young Women's Health History Study

PURPOSE

The role of alcohol in young-onset breast cancer (YOBC) is unclear. We examined associations between lifetime alcohol consumption and YOBC in the Young Women's Health History Study, a population-based case-control study of breast cancer among Non-Hispanic Black and White women < 50 years of age.

METHODS

Breast cancer cases (n = 1,812) were diagnosed in the Metropolitan Detroit and Los Angeles County SEER registry areas, 2010-2015. Controls (n = 1,381) were identified through area-based sampling and were frequency-matched to cases by age, site, and race. Alcohol consumption and covariates were collected from in-person interviews. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was conducted to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between alcohol consumption and YOBC overall and by subtype (Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2, or triple negative).

RESULTS

Lifetime alcohol consumption was not associated with YOBC overall or with subtypes (all ptrend ≥ 0.13). Similarly, alcohol consumption in adolescence, young and middle adulthood was not associated with YOBC (all ptrend ≥ 0.09). An inverse association with triple-negative YOBC, however, was observed for younger age at alcohol use initiation (< 18 years vs. no consumption), aOR (95% CI) = 0.62 (0.42, 0.93). No evidence of statistical interaction by race or household poverty was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest alcohol consumption has a different association with YOBC than postmenopausal breast cancer-lifetime consumption was not linked to increased risk and younger age at alcohol use initiation was associated with a decreased risk of triple-negative YOBC. Future studies on alcohol consumption in YOBC subtypes are warranted.

miR-9 utilizes precursor pathways in adaptation to alcohol in mouse striatal neurons

microRNA-9 (miR-9) is one of the most abundant microRNAs in the mammalian brain, essential for its development and normal function. In neurons, it regulates the expression of several key molecules, ranging from ion channels to enzymes, to transcription factors broadly affecting the expression of many genes. The neuronal effects of alcohol, one of the most abused drugs in the world, seem to be at least partially dependent on regulating the expression of miR-9. We previously observed that molecular mechanisms of the development of alcohol tolerance are miR-9 dependent. Since a critical feature of alcohol action is temporal exposure to the drug, we decided to better understand the time dependence of alcohol regulation of miR-9 biogenesis and expression. We measured the effect of intoxicating concentration of alcohol (20 mM ethanol) on the expression of all major elements of miR-9 biogenesis: three pri-precursors (pri-mir-9-1, pri-mir-9-2, pri-mir-9-3), three pre-precursors (pre-mir-9-1, pre-mir-9-2, pre-mir-9-3), and two mature microRNAs: miR-9-5p and miR-9-3p, using digital PCR and RT-qPCR, and murine primary medium spiny neurons (MSN) cultures. We subjected the neurons to alcohol based on an exposure/withdrawal matrix of different exposure times (from 15 min to 24 h) followed by different withdrawal times (from 0 h to 24 h). We observed that a short exposure increased mature miR-9-5p expression, which was followed by a gradual decrease and subsequent increase of the expression, returning to pre-exposure levels within 24 h. Temporal changes of miR-9-3p expression were complementing miR-9-5p changes. Interestingly, an extended, continuous presence of the drug caused a similar pattern. These results suggest the presence of the adaptive mechanisms of miR-9 expression in the presence and absence of alcohol. Measurement of miR-9 pre- and pri-precursors showed further that the primary effect of alcohol on miR-9 is through the mir-9-2 precursor pathway with a smaller contribution of mir-9-1 and mir-9-3 precursors. Our results provide new insight into the adaptive mechanisms of neurons to alcohol exposure. It would be of interest to determine next which microRNA-based mechanisms are involved in a transition from the acute, intoxicating effects of alcohol to the chronic, addictive effects of the drug.

"Once you get cancer you die. There is no way to get saved from cancer." A qualitative exploration of patients' perceptions towards cancer in Fiji

BACKGROUND

Understanding patients' perspective to get an insight into cancer, and how best the public health systems can battle with this disease is the way forward in this current world. This study aimed to explore patients' knowledge about common cancers, barriers to assessing cancer information and cancer preventative approaches in Fiji.

METHODS

The study used a qualitative method approach that was conducted among patients who attended Special Outpatients (SOPD) at the four selected health centres in Lautoka Subdivision, Fiji from 1st March to 30th April 2021. A semi-structured open-ended questionnaire was used to guide in-depth interviews. These audio recordings were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. All interview transcripts were read and similar words and phrases were assigned numbers which were grouped together to identify themes and sub themes.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients took part in the in-depth interview and the responses were grouped into four themes including; cancer knowledge, diagnosis of cancer in a close friend/family, barriers of communication and optimizing cancer awareness. Patients' awareness about common cancers and cancer risk factors was low. Many barriers for cancer screening were highlighted including stigmatization, fear, worry, death, lack of information, herbal medicine use, lack of resources and delay in diagnosis. Awareness strategies highlighted by participants included community outreach programs, house to house visits, opportunistic screening, engagement of community health care workers and the concept of a cancer hub centre.

CONCLUSION

It is evident that there is a range of views from patients towards cancer and it is important to understand these perceptions to better guide public health interventions concerning cancer. This puts more focus on the need to invest more in information, education, and communication material for public campaigns that target a variety of people for a wider reach.

Normal and unusual days for dietary intake during the 12 months after a breast cancer diagnosis in women

PURPOSE

There are several reasons to report days as being unusual with regard to dietary intake, including special occasions and celebrations. For breast cancer patients during the 12 month post-surgery period, unusual days may also include days that are affected by being a cancer patient. The aim of this study was to study dietary intake on "normal" and "unusual" days, and to study what is reported in "free text fields" of a food diary.

METHODS

Women (n = 456), mean age 55.5 years newly diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (stage I/II) were included in this clinical study. "Normal" and "unusual" days in general, over time and during the week and weekends were studied using repeated administration of a 7-day pre-coded food diary.

RESULTS

The breast cancer patients reported 26% of all days as unusual. The intake of energy, most nutrients, especially alcohol and sugar, red and processed meat, and sweets, cakes, and snacks was 5-126% higher, whereas intake of fiber, fruit and berries, vegetables, and dairy products was 7-17% lower on unusual than on normal days (P < 0.001). The same pattern was seen for normal/unusual days during the weekdays, weekends and over time. Finally, 99% of the breast cancer patients used the free text fields to report additional intake with a mean energy of 1.1 MJ/day.

CONCLUSION

For breast cancer patients during the 12-month post-surgery period, unusual days are important drivers of total intake, especially for alcohol. The free text fields in the pre-coded food diary contributed substantially to the total intake.

Alcohol Drinking Pattern and Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for head and neck cancer (HNC), yet little data exist examining drinking patterns and HNC risk. In this population-based, retrospective cohort study, 11,737,467 subjects were recruited from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. The risks of overall HNC and HNC subtypes according to average alcohol consumption, drinking frequency, and daily amount were examined using Cox proportional hazard models. Over the median follow-up of 6.4 years, 15,832 HNC cases were identified. HNC risk linearly increased with drinking frequency (p-trend < 0.01; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45–1.67 in subjects who drank 7 days/week). HNC risk also increased according to daily amount of alcohol consumption (p-trend < 0.01), but plateaued from 5–7 units/occasion (aHR 1.25, 95% CI 1.19–1.31) to >14 units/occasion (aHR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13–1.40). When stratified by average alcohol consumption, drinking frequency, but not daily amount, showed a linear relationship with HNC risk in moderate and heavy drinkers. When comparing the HNC subtypes, similar tendencies were observed in cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx, but not in the salivary gland. In conclusion, drinking frequency is a stronger risk factor for HNC, especially for cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx, than the daily amount of alcohol consumption.

Using Mendelian randomization to evaluate the effects of alcohol consumption on the risk of coronary heart disease

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the use of Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses for judging the effects of alcohol consumption on the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a review of methodology for MR and describes its early application to judging health effects of alcohol, current uses and a recommended approach of combining MR results with those from observational and experimental studies.

Findings

Early applications of MR to health effects of alcohol consumption were inadequate for providing unbiased results, but newer attempts using polygenic scores show promise. It is important to combine data from MR analyses with those from observational and experimental studies to obtain an unbiased and scientifically sound estimate of alcohol’s effects on health.

Practical implications

Giving advice to the public regarding alcohol consumption must be based on accurate, unbiased scientific data; this paper describes attempts to use MR for achieving this goal.

Social implications

Given that light-to-moderate alcohol intake is associated with a lower risk of CHD, type II diabetes mellitus and total mortality, it is important to be able to evaluate both the benefits and harms from alcohol before giving advice regarding drinking.

Originality/value

This is part of a group of three papers dealing with the potential health benefits and harms associated with alcohol consumption.

Alcohol consumption, drinking patterns and cancer incidence in an Australian cohort of 226,162 participants aged 45 years and over

BACKGROUND

Although overall alcohol consumption is known to increase the risk of a number of cancers internationally, evidence for Australia and evidence regarding the pattern of drinking and cancer risk is limited.

METHODS

Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for cancer risk in relation to overall alcohol consumption (drinks/week) and pattern of drinking were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regressions for 226,162 participants aged ≥45 years (2006-2009) in the 45 and Up Study, an Australian prospective cohort study. Incident primary cancer cases were ascertained by linkage to the New South Wales Cancer Registry to 2013 by the Centre for Health Record Linkage.

RESULTS

Over a median of 5.4 years, 17,332 cancers were diagnosed. Increasing levels of alcohol intake were associated with increased risk of cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (1.19; 1.10-1.29), mouth and pharynx (1.18; 1.08-1.29), oesophagus (1.22; 1.04-1.43), colorectum (1.09; 1.04-1.15), colon (1.13; 1.06-1.20), liver (1.22; 1.04-1.44) and breast (1.11; 1.02-1.21). Breast cancer risk was marginally associated with drinking pattern, with higher risk when intake was concentrated on 1-3 days/week compared to the same amount spread over 4-7 days (P_interaction = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol consumption confers a significant risk of cancer, and drinking pattern may be independently related to breast cancer risk.

Intake of Common Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Breast Cancer Risk among Japanese Women: Findings from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study

This study investigated the association between intake of common alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and breast cancer risk among Japanese women. This study included 33,396 Japanese women aged 40–79 years from 24 areas in Japan from the Collaborative Cohort study. During the follow-up period (≥20 years), 245 incidents or mortal breast cancers were documented. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the independent association between breast cancer risk and the intake of Japanese green tea, coffee, and alcohol. Japanese green tea was the most commonly consumed non-alcoholic beverage (81.6% of participants), followed by coffee (34.7%) and alcohol (23.6%). No significant associations were identified between the intake of green tea and coffee with breast cancer risk (odds ratio OR 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82–1.60, and OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.64–1.10, respectively). Alcohol intake was associated with significant breast cancer risk (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.11–1.92), and even infrequent alcohol consumption (<1 times/week) was associated with substantially increased breast cancer risk (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.39–3.09). Alcohol type, especially, wine and whisky intake tended to be marginally associated with breast cancer risk (OR 1.79, 95% CI 0.99–3.23 and [OR] 1.68, 95% CI 0.91–3.08, respectively). Alcohol consumption would be associated with increased breast cancer risk. However, intake of green tea or coffee does not appear to be associated with increased breast cancer risk.

Binge Drinking and Risk of Breast Cancer: Results from the SUN ('Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra') Project

Alcohol intake is associated with the risk of breast cancer. Different patterns of alcohol-drinking may have different effects on breast cancer even when keeping constant the total amount of alcohol consumed. We aimed to assess the association between binge drinking and breast cancer risk. The SUN Project is a Spanish dynamic prospective cohort of university graduates initiated in 1999. In the 556-item lifestyle baseline questionnaire a validated food-frequency questionnaire was embedded. Participants completed biennial follow-up questionnaires. Cox regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for breast cancer associated with the exposure to binge drinking. A stratified analysis was performed according to menopausal status. We included 9577 women (mean age = 34 years, SD = 10 years), with a median follow-up of 11.8 years. Among 104,932 women-years of follow-up, we confirmed 88 incident cases of breast cancer. Women in the binge drinking group showed a higher risk of breast cancer (HR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.03–2.99) compared to women in the non-binge drinking category. In the stratified analysis, a 2-fold higher risk for premenopausal breast cancer was associated with binge drinking habit (HR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.11–3.82). This study adds new evidence on the association of binge drinking with breast cancer risk.

Long-term exposure to road traffic noise and incidence of breast cancer: a cohort study

Background

Exposure to road traffic noise was associated with increased risk of estrogen receptor (ER)-negative (ER-) breast cancer in a previous cohort study, but not with overall or ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer, or breast cancer prognosis. We examined the association between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and incidence of breast cancer, overall and by ER and progesterone receptor (PR) status.

Methods

We used the data from a nationwide Danish Nurse Cohort on 22,466 female nurses (age > 44 years) who at recruitment in 1993 or 1999 reported information on breast cancer risk factors. We obtained data on the incidence of breast cancer from the Danish Cancer Registry, and on breast cancer subtypes by ER and PR status from the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group, up to 31 December 2012. Road traffic noise levels at the nurses’ residences were estimated by the Nord2000 method between 1970 and 2013 as annual means of a weighted 24 h average (L_den) at the most exposed facade. We used time-varying Cox regression to analyze the associations between the 24-year, 10-year, and 1-year mean of L_den and breast cancer, separately for total breast cancer and by ER and PR status.

Results

Of the 22,466 women, 1193 developed breast cancer in total during 353,775 person-years of follow up, of whom 611 had complete information on ER and PR status. For each 10 dB increase in 24-year mean noise levels at their residence, we found a statistically significant 10% (hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval 1.10; 1.00–1.20) increase in total breast cancer incidence and a 17% (1.17; 1.02–1.33) increase in analyses based on 611 breast cancer cases with complete ER and PR information. We found positive, statistically significant association between noise levels and ER+ (1.23; 1.06–1.43, N = 494) but not ER- (0.93; 0.70–1.25, N = 117) breast cancers, and a stronger association between noise levels and PR+ (1.21; 1.02–1.42, N = 393) than between noise levels and PR- (1.10; 0.89–1.37, N = 218) breast cancers. Association between noise and ER+ breast cancer was statistically significantly stronger in nurses working night shifts (3.36; 1.48–7.63) than in those not working at night (1.21; 1.02–1.43) (p value for interaction = 0.05).

Conclusion

Long-term exposure to road traffic noise may increase risk of ER+ breast cancer.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13058-018-1047-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Chronic moderate ethanol intake differentially regulates vitamin D hydroxylases gene expression in kidneys and xenografted breast cancer cells in female mice

Factors affecting vitamin D metabolism may preclude anti-carcinogenic effects of its active metabolite calcitriol. Chronic ethanol consumption is an etiological factor for breast cancer that affects vitamin D metabolism; however, the mechanisms underlying this causal association have not been fully clarified. Using a murine model, we examined the effects of chronic moderate ethanol intake on tumoral and renal CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 gene expression, the enzymes involved in calcitriol synthesis and inactivation, respectively. Ethanol (5% w/v) was administered to 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃-treated or control mice during one month. Afterwards, human breast cancer cells were xenografted and treatments continued another month. Ethanol intake decreased renal Cyp27b1 while increased tumoral CYP24A1 gene expression.Treatment with 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ significantly stimulated CYP27B1 in tumors of non-alcohol-drinking mice, while increased both renal and tumoral CYP24A1. Coadministration of ethanol and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ reduced in 60% renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃-dependent Cyp24a1 upregulation (P<0.05). We found 5 folds higher basal Cyp27b1 than Cyp24a1 gene expression in kidneys, whereas this relation was inverted in tumors, showing 5 folds more CYP24A1 than CYP27B1. Tumor expression of the calcitriol target cathelicidin increased only in 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃-treated non-ethanol drinking animals (P<0.05). Mean final body weight was higher in 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ treated groups (P<0.001). Overall, these results suggest that moderate ethanol intake decreases renal and tumoral 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ bioconversion into calcitriol, while favors degradation of both vitamin D metabolites in breast cancer cells. The latter may partially explain why alcohol consumption is associated with vitamin D deficiency and increased breast cancer risk and progression.

Alcohol consumption and mammographic density in the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort

PURPOSE

We examined the association between alcohol consumption and mammographic density (MD) considering in detail the time of exposure and the type of alcohol.

METHODS

Of 5,356 women (4,489 post-menopausal) from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort (1993-1997) who attended mammographic screening in Copenhagen (1993-2001), we used MD (mixed/dense or fatty) assessed at the first screening after cohort entry. Alcohol consumption was assessed at the time of recruitment. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations [odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI)] between alcohol consumption and MD.

RESULTS

The mean age was 56.2 years, 56.5% of women had mixed/dense MD, and 91.8% were alcohol consumers. There was no association between current alcohol consumption and MD at baseline (age 50-65, on average 1 year before MD assessment) neither between age at drinking initiation and MD, in the fully adjusted model. There was a borderline statistically significantly increased OR of having mixed/dense MD in women who consumed > 7 drinks/week at age 20-29 (1.31, 95% CI 1.00-1.72) compared to non-drinkers in this age group, and no effect of drinking at age 30-39, 40-49 or after > 50 years, when adjusting for current drinking. However, when considering different types of alcohol, drinking spirits at age 20-29 was positively associated with mixed/dense breast (3-7 drinks/week: OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.12-2.72); >7 drinks/week: (OR 1.76, 95% CI 0.73-4.23). No consistent pattern was found with beer, wine, or fortified wine.

CONCLUSIONS

We found higher MD among women with high alcohol consumption in early adulthood (ages 20-29), in those drinking spirits.

Lifetime Alcohol Intake, Binge Drinking Behaviors, and Breast Cancer Risk

The prevalence of binge drinking in the United States is rising. While alcohol is a risk factor for breast cancer, less is known about the impact of episodic heavy drinking. In 2003-2009, women aged 35-74 years who were free of breast cancer were enrolled in the Sister Study (n = 50,884). Residents of the United States or Puerto Rico who had a sister with breast cancer were eligible. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for breast cancer. During follow-up (mean = 6.4 years), 1,843 invasive breast cancers were diagnosed. Increased breast cancer risk was observed for higher lifetime alcohol intake (for ≥230 drinks/year vs. <60 drinks/year, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15, 1.58). Relative to low-level drinkers (<60 drinks/year), hazard ratios were increased for ever binge drinking (HR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.45) or blacking out (HR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.64). Compared with low-level drinkers who never binged, moderate drinkers (60-229 drinks/year) who binged had a higher risk (HR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.44). There was evidence of effect modification between moderate lifetime drinking and binging (relative excess risk due to interaction = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.57). Our findings support the established association between lifetime alcohol intake and breast cancer and provide evidence for an increased risk associated with heavy episodic drinking, especially among moderate lifetime drinkers.

Active smoking and risk of breast cancer in a Danish nurse cohort study

BACKGROUND

No scientific consensus has been reached on whether active tobacco smoking causes breast cancer. We examine the association between active smoking and breast cancer risk in Denmark, which has some of the highest smoking and breast cancer rates in women worldwide.

METHODS

We used the data from a nationwide Danish Nurse Cohort on 21,867 female nurses (age > 44 years) who at recruitment in 1993 or 1999 reported information on smoking status, onset, duration, and intensity, as well as breast cancer risk factors. We obtained data on incidence of breast cancer from Danish Cancer Registry until 2013, and used Cox regression models to analyze the association between smoking and breast cancer.

RESULTS

Of 21,831 women (mean age 53.2 years) 1162 developed breast cancer during 15.7 years of follow-up. 33.7% of nurses were current and 30.0% former smokers at cohort baseline. Compared to never smokers, we found increased risk of breast cancer of 18% in ever (hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval: 1.18; 1.04-1.34) and 27% in current (1.27; 1.11-1.46) smokers. We detected a dose-response relationship with smoking intensity with the highest breast cancer risk in women smoking >15 g/day (1.31; 1.11-1.56) or >20 pack-years (1.32; 1.12-1.55). Parous women who smoked heavily (>10 pack-years) before first childbirth had the highest risk of breast cancer (1.58; 1.20-2.10). Association between smoking and breast cancer was not modified by menopausal status, obesity, alcohol or hormone therapy use, and seemed to be limited to the estrogen receptor positive breast cancer subtype.

CONCLUSIONS

Active smoking increases risk of breast cancer, with smoking before first birth being the most relevant exposure window.

Alcohol Use and Breast Cancer: A Critical Review

The objective of this study was to outline the biological pathways of alcohol-attributable breast cancer, the epidemiological risk relationship between alcohol consumption and breast cancer, and the global burden of breast cancer incidence and mortality attributable to alcohol consumption, with a focus on light drinking. First, the literature regarding the biological mechanisms of how alcohol affects the risk of breast cancer was reviewed and summarized. Second, a search of meta-analyses that evaluated the risk relationship between alcohol consumption and breast cancer was conducted. Last, the burden of alcohol-attributable breast cancer incidence and mortality was estimated by means of a Population-Attributable Fraction methodology. Data on alcohol consumption were obtained from the Global Information System on Alcohol and Health, and data on cancer incidence and mortality were obtained from the GLOBOCAN database. Alcohol consumption affects breast cancer risk through the alteration in hormone levels and the associated biological pathways, the metabolism of ethanol resulting in carcinogens, and the inhibition of the one carbon metabolism pathway. The systematic review found 15 meta-analyses on the risk relationship between alcohol consumption (also light consumption) and the risk of breast cancer. All but 2 of these analyses showed a dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk of breast cancer. An estimated 144,000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 88,000 to 200,000) breast cancer cases and 38,000 (95% CI: 2,400 to 53,000) breast cancer deaths globally in 2012 were attributable to alcohol, with 18.8% of these cases and 17.5% of these deaths affecting women who were light alcohol consumers. All levels of evidence showed a risk relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk of breast cancer, even at low levels of consumption. Due to this strong relationship, and to the amount of alcohol consumed globally, the incidence of and mortality from alcohol-attributable breast cancer is large.

Recommendations on Alcohol Consumption: An International Comparison

Public health policy on alcohol is changing in many countries. This article reviews public health messages with regard to alcohol in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) and highlights the common as well as the different messages delineated. The messages from these four countries are then compared with those of certain other developed and developing countries. Some of the significant differences include definitions of moderate alcohol consumption, the consumption of alcohol by women, underage consumption, and advice to abstainers, which may reflect differences in the characteristics of consumers among countries. Central to the current debate is the concern that incomplete, inconsistent or misleading messages on alcohol consumption could lead to an increase in alcohol abuse, misuse and hence harm, or, conversely, to abstention by particular population groups.

Alcohol consumption and rates of cancer screening: Is cancer risk overestimated?

PURPOSE

Alcohol consumption in moderation has been associated with incident breast and colorectal cancer. Whether these associations may be overestimated by more intensive screening among moderate consumers is unknown. This study examines the associations of alcohol consumption with cancer screening.

METHODS

In six iterations (2002-2012) of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a telephone survey of US adults conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, participants reported their alcohol use and recent screening for several cancers. We assessed whether alcohol use was associated with breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening after sample-weighted adjustment for sociodemographic and healthcare utilization factors.

RESULTS

Among 2,191,483 survey respondents, 80.5 % (weighted prevalence) of eligible individuals reported having an up-to-date mammogram, 87.7 % having a Pap test, and 56.8 % having a colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy. For all breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, moderate consumers were more likely to report screening (84.7, 91.2, 61.1 %) than non-consumers, even after multivariate adjustment (adjusted prevalence ratios 1.04, 1.04, 1.07; p < 0.001 for all). Among binge consumers, the weighted prevalence was lower than that in non-binge consumers (binge vs non-binge moderate consumers 80.5 vs 85.5 %, 89.9 vs 91.8 %, 52.8 vs 63.3 %) but still higher than non-consumers for breast and cervical cancer screening.

CONCLUSIONS

In the USA, moderate consumers consistently report a greater likelihood of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening than do non-consumers. Given the likelihood of overdiagnosis, further study of alcohol consumption and cancer should include cancer-specific mortality, which is less sensitive to differences in screening and detection.

Links between alcohol consumption and breast cancer: a look at the evidence

Alcohol consumption by adult women is consistently associated with risk of breast cancer. Several questions regarding alcohol and breast cancer need to be addressed. Menarche to first pregnancy represents a window of time when breast tissue is particularly susceptible to carcinogens. Youth alcohol consumption is common in the USA, largely in the form of binge drinking and heavy drinking. Whether alcohol intake acts early in the process of breast tumorigenesis is unclear. This review aims to focus on the influences of timing and patterns of alcohol consumption and the effect of alcohol on intermediate risk markers. We also review possible mechanisms underlying the alcohol-breast cancer association.

Alcohol consumption, endogenous estrogen and mammographic density among premenopausal women

Introduction

Alcohol consumption may promote aromatization of androgens to estrogens, which may partly explain the observations linking alcohol consumption to higher breast cancer risk. Whether alcohol consumption is associated with endogenous estrogen levels, and mammographic density phenotypes in premenopausal women remains unclear.

Methods

Alcohol consumption was collected by self-report and interview, using semi quantitative food frequency questionnaires, and a food diary during seven days of a menstrual cycle among 202 premenopausal women, participating in the Energy Balance and Breast Cancer Aspects (EBBA) study I. Estrogen was assessed in serum and daily in saliva across an entire menstrual cycle. Computer-assisted mammographic density (Madena) was obtained from digitized mammograms taken between days 7–12 of the menstrual cycle. Multivariable regression models were used to investigate the associations between alcohol consumption, endogenous estrogen and mammographic density phenotypes.

Results

Current alcohol consumption was positively associated with endogenous estrogen, and absolute mammographic density. We observed 18 % higher mean salivary 17β-estradiol levels throughout the menstrual cycle, among women who consumed more than 10 g of alcohol per day compared to women who consumed less than 10 g of alcohol per day (p = 0.034). Long-term and past-year alcohol consumption was positively associated with mammographic density. We observed a positive association between alcohol consumption (past year) and absolute mammographic density; high alcohol consumers (≥7 drinks/week) had a mean absolute mammographic density of 46.17 cm² (95 % confidence interval (CI) 39.39, 52.95), while low alcohol consumers (<1 drink/week) had a mean absolute mammographic density of 31.26 cm² (95 % CI 25.89, 36.64) (p-trend 0.001). After adjustments, high consumers of alcohol (≥7 drinks/week), had 5.08 (95 % CI 1.82, 14.20) times higher odds of having absolute mammographic density above median (>32.4 cm²), compared to low (<1 drink/week) alcohol consumers.

Conclusion

Alcohol consumption was positively associated with daily endogenous estrogen levels and mammographic density in premenopausal women. These associations could point to an important area of breast cancer prevention.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13058-015-0620-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Population based study of the association between binge drinking and mortality from cancer of oropharynx and esophagus in Korean men: the Kangwha cohort study

We assessed the association between frequency of heavy binge drinking and mortality from oropharynx and esophagus cancer after controlling for the total volume of alcohol intake among Korean men. The cohort comprised 2,677 male residents in Kangwha County, aged 55 or older in March 1985, for their upper digestive tract cancer mortality for 20.8 years up to December 31, 2005. For daily binge drinkers versus non-drinkers, the hazard ratios (95% Cls) for mortality were 4.82 (1.36, 17.1) and 6.75 (1.45, 31.4) for oropharyngeal and esophageal cancers, respectively. Even after adjusting for the volume of alcohol intake, we found the hazard ratios for frequency of binge drinking and mortality of oropharyngeal or esophageal cancer to not change appreciably: the hazard ratios were 4.90 (1.00, 27.0) and 7.17 (1.02, 50.6), respectively. For esophageal cancer, there was a strong dose-response relationship. The frequency of heavy binge drinking and not just the volume of alcohol intake may increase the risk of mortality from upper digestive tract cancer, particularly esophageal cancer in Korean men. These findings need to be confirmed in further studies with a larger sample size.

Space-time clusters of breast cancer using residential histories: a Danish case-control study

BACKGROUND

A large proportion of breast cancer cases are thought related to environmental factors. Identification of specific geographical areas with high risk (clusters) may give clues to potential environmental risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate whether clusters of breast cancer existed in space and time in Denmark, using 33 years of residential histories.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based case-control study of 3138 female cases from the Danish Cancer Registry, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and two independent control groups of 3138 women each, randomly selected from the Civil Registration System. Residential addresses of cases and controls from 1971 to 2003 were collected from the Civil Registration System and geo-coded. Q-statistics were used to identify space-time clusters of breast cancer. All analyses were carried out with both control groups, and for 66% of the study population we also conducted analyses adjusted for individual reproductive factors and area-level socioeconomic indicators.

RESULTS

In the crude analyses a cluster in the northern suburbs of Copenhagen was consistently found throughout the study period (1971-2003) with both control groups. When analyses were adjusted for individual reproductive factors and area-level socioeconomic indicators, the cluster area became smaller and less evident.

CONCLUSIONS

The breast cancer cluster area that persisted after adjustment might be explained by factors that were not accounted for such as alcohol consumption and use of hormone replacement therapy. However, we cannot exclude environmental pollutants as a contributing cause, but no pollutants specific to this area seem obvious.

Female breast cancer and alcohol consumption: a review of the literature

CONTEXT

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is one of the single most important known and modifiable risk factor for human cancer. Among women, breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is causally associated with female breast cancer and the association shows a linear dose-response relationship. The role of heavy drinking has been long recognized and even a moderate intake is associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. The present review is an update of the current evidence on the association between alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk. The aim is to gain further insight into this association and to improve our current understanding of the effects of the major modifying factors.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Epidemiologic and experimental studies published since the most recent International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph on alcoholic beverages were identified in PubMed using a combination of keywords such as alcohol, breast cancer, polymorphisms, menopausal status.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Cumulative lifetime consumption, drinking frequency, drinking patterns and timing of exposure each modulate the association between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. Hormonal status, genetic polymorphisms, and nutritional factors may interact with ethanol metabolism and further influence breast cancer risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Better standardization among experimental and epidemiologic designs in assessing alcohol intake and timing of exposure may improve our understanding of the heterogeneity observed across studies, possibly allowing the quantification of the effects of occasional heavy drinking and the identification of a window of higher susceptibility to breast cancer development.

Alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk among women from five ethnic groups with light to moderate intakes: the Multiethnic Cohort Study

Higher alcohol consumption, even at moderate levels, has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in epidemiological studies. However, prior studies were conducted in mostly white populations. To assess the relationship of alcohol consumption to postmenopausal breast cancer risk in a multiethnic population of largely never, light or moderate drinkers, we prospectively examined the association in 85,089 women enrolled in the Multiethnic Cohort in Hawaii and California. During a mean follow-up of 12.4 years, 3,885 incident invasive breast cancer cases were identified. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models, controlling for potential confounders. Higher alcohol consumption was associated with increased risk of breast cancer: compared to nondrinkers, HRs were 1.23 (95% CI: 1.06-1.42), 1.21 (95% CI: 1.00-1.45), 1.12 (95% CI: 0.95-1.31) and 1.53 (95% CI: 1.32-1.77) for 5-9.9, 10-14.9, 15-29.9 and ≥ 30 g/day of alcohol, respectively. The positive association was seen in African American, Japanese American, Latino and white, but not in Native Hawaiian women, and in those with tumors that were both positive and negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR). This prospective study supports previous findings that light to moderate alcohol consumption increases breast cancer risk, and demonstrates this association in several ethnic groups besides whites, independent of ER/PR status.

Improving the management of people with a family history of breast cancer in primary care: before and after study of audit-based education

BACKGROUND

In England, guidance from National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) states women with a family history of breast cancer presenting to primary care should be reassured or referred.We reviewed the evidence for interventions that might be applied in primary care and conducted an audit of whether low risk women are correctly advised and flagged.

METHODS

We conducted a literature review to identify modifiable risk factors. We extracted routinely collected data from the computerised medical record systems of 6 general practices (population approximately 30,000); of the variables identified in the guidance. We implemented a quality improvement (QI) intervention called audit-based education (ABE) comparing participant practices with guidelines and each other before and after; we report odds ratios (OR) of any change in data recording.

RESULTS

The review revealed evidence for advising on: diet, weight control, physical exercise, and alcohol. The proportion of patients with recordings of family history of: disease, neoplasms, and breast cancer were: 39.3%, 5.1% and 1.3% respectively. There was no significant change in the recording of family history of disease or cancer; OR 1.02 (95% CI 0.98-1.06); and 1.08 (95% CI 0.99-1.17) respectively. Recording of alcohol consumption and smoking both increased significantly; OR 1.36 (95% CI 1.30-1.43); and 1.42 (95% CI 1.27-1.60) respectively. Recording lifestyle advice fell; OR 0.84 (95% CI 0.81-0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

The study informs about current data recording and willingness to engage in ABE. Recording of risk factors improved after the intervention. Further QI is needed to achieve adherence to current guidance.

the risk of cancer among Taiwanese female registered nurses: a nationwide retrospective study

Background

To evaluate the risk of cancer among Taiwanese female registered nurses (RNs) using a nationwide population-based dataset.

Methods

We recruited female RNs without antecedent cancer from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research database during 2000–2010. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of cancer were calculated. We also compared rates of Papanicolaou (Pap) smear use between the RNs and the general population matched by age and sex.

Results

A total of 2,077 cancers developed among 184,809 female RNs, with a follow-up of 1,371,910 person-years (median follow-up of 7.86 years), leading to an increased SIR of 1.10 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.15]. RNs aged between 40–59 years also had a significantly increased SIR (1.14, 95% CI 1.08–1.21). For specific cancer types, RNs had an increased SIR for breast (1.28, 95% CI 1.19–1.37), thyroid (1.26, 95% CI 1.10–1.43), lung and mediastinum (1.36, 95% CI 1.13–1.62), and uterine cancers (1.23, 95% CI 1.01–1.49). A decreased SIR was found for cervix (0.48, 95% CI 0.37–0.61) and liver and biliary tract cancers (0.68, 95% CI 0.50–0.90). Pap smear use averaged 5.80 times per person among female RNs aged 35 years or older and 5.50 times per person in the age-matched control group (p = 0.009).

Conclusion

This study found that overall cancer risk was higher among female RNs than general population. For individual cancers, the risks of breast, lung, thyroid and uterine cancer were higher and the risks of cervix and liver cancer were lower than general population. The lower risk of cervical cancer might be partially explained by the increased use of Pap smears in the RNs group. Further large, unbiased population-based prospective studies are needed to investigate the association between nurses and cancer risk and identify the risk factors of cancer in nurses.

Consumo de álcool e risco para doença coronariana na região metropolitana de São Paulo: uma análise do Projeto GENACIS

OBJETIVOS: Examinar a associação entre consumo de álcool e risco para doença coronariana em amostra populacional. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, de base populacional, conduzido de janeiro/2006 a junho/2007, na região metropolitana de São Paulo, como parte do estudo internacional (Gender, Alcohol, and Culture: an International Study). Os sujeitos (1.501, sendo 609 homens e 892 mulheres) eram residentes da região metropolitana de São Paulo, tinham 30 anos ou mais de idade e foram selecionados aleatoriamente, a partir de amostragem complexa por conglomerados. Todos os indivíduos consentiram em participar da pesquisa. A variável dependente foi risco cardíaco avaliado através do WHO Rose Angina Questionnaire. A análise multivariada consistiu em regressão logística, tendo sido realizado ajuste para uso de tabaco e índice de massa corpórea. RESULTADOS: A taxa de resposta foi 75%. Ser mulher, ter mais idade, ser negro, fumante e ter um índice de massa corpórea elevado, foram associados a maior risco para doença coronariana. Indivíduos que nunca beberam na vida (OR = 2,22) e ex-bebedores (OR = 2,42) tiveram maior risco de doença cardíaca do que aqueles que informaram beber até 19 g de álcool por dia, sem episódios de beber excessivo. Entre os que tiveram episódios de embriaguês observou-se uma tendência a maior risco (OR = 3,95, p = 0,09). CONCLUSÕES: Nossos achados sugerem um menor risco para doença coronariana entre os bebedores moderados. Destaca-se que os estudos que avaliam o impacto do álcool sobre doença cardíaca precisam identificar o padrão de uso de álcool dos sujeitos, visto que este aspecto pode modificar o risco. Políticas públicas são necessárias para reduzir o uso nocivo de álcool e a morbidade a ele relacionada no país.

Moderate alcohol consumption during adult life, drinking patterns, and breast cancer risk

CONTEXT

Multiple studies have linked alcohol consumption to breast cancer risk, but the risk of lower levels of consumption has not been well quantified. In addition, the role of drinking patterns (ie, frequency of drinking and "binge" drinking) and consumption at different times of adult life are not well understood.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of breast cancer with alcohol consumption during adult life, including quantity, frequency, and age at consumption.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Prospective observational study of 105,986 women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study followed up from 1980 until 2008 with an early adult alcohol assessment and 8 updated alcohol assessments.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Relative risks of developing invasive breast cancer.

RESULTS

During 2.4 million person-years of follow-up, 7690 cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed. Increasing alcohol consumption was associated with increased breast cancer risk that was statistically significant at levels as low as 5.0 to 9.9 g per day, equivalent to 3 to 6 drinks per week (relative risk, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.06-1.24; 333 cases/100,000 person-years). Binge drinking, but not frequency of drinking, was associated with breast cancer risk after controlling for cumulative alcohol intake. Alcohol intake both earlier and later in adult life was independently associated with risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Low levels of alcohol consumption were associated with a small increase in breast cancer risk, with the most consistent measure being cumulative alcohol intake throughout adult life. Alcohol intake both earlier and later in adult life was independently associated with risk.

Prospective study of alcohol consumption quantity and frequency and cancer-specific mortality in the US population

Prospective associations between quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption and cancer-specific mortality were studied using a nationally representative sample with pooled data from the 1988, 1990, 1991, and 1997-2004 administrations of the National Health Interview Survey (n = 323,354). By 2006, 8,362 participants had died of cancer. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate relative risks. Among current alcohol drinkers, for all-site cancer mortality, higher-quantity drinking (≥ 3 drinks on drinking days vs. 1 drink on drinking days) was associated with increased risk among men (relative risk (RR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09, 1.41; P for linear trend = 0.001); higher-frequency drinking (≥ 3 days/week vs. <1 day/week) was associated with increased risk among women (RR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.55; P-trend < 0.001). Lung cancer mortality results were similar, but among never smokers, results were null. For colorectal cancer mortality, higher-quantity drinking was associated with increased risk among women (RR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.17, 3.18; P-trend = 0.03). Higher-frequency drinking was associated with increased risk of prostate cancer (RR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.38; P for quadratic effect = 0.03) and tended to be associated with increased risk of breast cancer (RR = 1.44, 95% CI: 0.96, 2.17; P-trend = 0.06). Epidemiologic studies of alcohol and cancer mortality should consider the independent effects of quantity and frequency.

The prospective relationship between binge drinking and physician visits among older adults

OBJECTIVES

The objectives are to (a) determine if binge drinking is related to physician visits and (b) estimate the degree to which the relationship between binge drinking and physician visits can be explained by other health characteristics.

METHOD

Data on a sample of 4,960 older adults (70+ years of age in 2002) from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used. Three linear regression models estimated the impact of binge drinking on physician visits.

RESULTS

In the fully adjusted models, binge drinking did have an effect on the number of physician visits by older adults, with more frequent binge drinkers having fewer physician visits. This negative relationship exists even when demographic as well as other current health characteristics are controlled.

DISCUSSION

The implications of these results are discussed in terms of more broadly communicating the risks associated with binge drinking and more effectively targeting interventions to older binge drinkers.

Lifestyle as risk factor for cancer: Evidence from human studies

It is increasingly appreciated that the chances of developing cancer are significantly affected by the choice of our lifestyle. There are several uncontrollable risk factors which account for the majority of cancers, but we can modify our lifestyle to reduce enhanced threat of cancer. Healthy lifestyle behaviors for cancer risk reduction include a healthy diet, weight management, regular exercise, reduction in alcohol consumption and smoking cessation. In this article, we present evidences on the association between certain lifestyle characteristics and their contribution for developing breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers, using information derived from human studies.

Does binge drinking increase the risk of lung cancer: results from the Findrink study

BACKGROUND

There are controversies on the role of alcohol in lung cancer but no studies have examined the role of alcohol consumption patterns. We examined the association between binge drinking and lung cancer.

METHODS

Prospective population based study of 2267 middle aged men from Finland without a history of lung cancer at baseline.

RESULTS

There were 65 cases of lung cancer during an average follow-up of 16.7 years. The relative risk (RR) of lung cancer for binge drinkers was 1.89 (95% CI 1.10-3.20) after adjusting for age, examination year, family history of cancer, smoking, socio-economic status (SES), leisure-time physical activity and body mass index (BMI). No increased risk was observed among non-smoking binge drinkers, RR 1.48 (95% CI 0.89-2.47). Binge drinking smokers had increased risks of lung cancer in all categories of daily smoking compared with non-binge drinking smokers. The RR were 2.70 (95% CI 1.61-4.53), 2.35 (95% CI 1.38-3.96) and 2.24 (95% CI 1.29-3.80) for those who smoked 1-19, 20-29 and > or =30/day, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Binge drinking is not associated with an increased risk of lung cancer among non-smokers but among smokers, it is associated with an increased risk irrespective of the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Even though the number of lung cancer cases among non-smokers was relatively small, the fact that the increased risk was limited to only smokers means that residual confounding by smoking may play a role. Larger studies are needed to clarify this association.

The positive and negative health effects of alcohol- and the public health implications

In this paper, the negative and the positive effects of alcohol on health are reviewed. It is first of all established facts that a high alcohol intake implies an increased risk of a large number of health outcomes, such as dementia, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, cirrhosis, upper digestive tract cancer and alcohol dependency. Second, it is justified that alcohol has beneficial effects for some individuals, especially with regard to prevention of thrombosis of the heart. The public health relevance of these results is considered. The sensible drinking limits, used in both the UK and Denmark, of a maximum of 21 drinks per week for men and 14 drinks per week for women seem valid. A broader public health message of the beneficial effects of alcohol does not seem to be of interest in Western societies, where only a very small fraction of the population are non drinkers and may have very good reasons therefore.

Prevention of breast cancer in postmenopausal women: approaches to estimating and reducing risk

BACKGROUND

It is uncertain whether evidence supports routinely estimating a postmenopausal woman's risk of breast cancer and intervening to reduce risk.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed prospective studies about models and sex hormone levels to assess breast cancer risk and used meta-analysis with random effects models to summarize the predictive accuracy of breast density. We also reviewed prospective studies of the effects of exercise, weight management, healthy diet, moderate alcohol consumption, and fruit and vegetable intake on breast cancer risk, and used random effects models for a meta-analyses of tamoxifen and raloxifene for primary prevention of breast cancer. All studies reviewed were published before June 2008, and all statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Risk models that are based on demographic characteristics and medical history had modest discriminatory accuracy for estimating breast cancer risk (c-statistics range = 0.58-0.63). Breast density was strongly associated with breast cancer (relative risk [RR] = 4.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.10 to 5.26, for Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category IV vs category I; RR = 4.20, 95% CI = 3.61 to 4.89, for >75% vs <5% of dense area), and adding breast density to models improved discriminatory accuracy (c-statistics range = 0.63-0.66). Estradiol was also associated with breast cancer (RR range = 2.0-2.9, comparing the highest vs lowest quintile of estradiol, P < .01). Most studies found that exercise, weight reduction, low-fat diet, and reduced alcohol intake were associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer. Tamoxifen and raloxifene reduced the risk of estrogen receptor-positive invasive breast cancer and invasive breast cancer overall.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from this study supports screening for breast cancer risk in all postmenopausal women by use of risk factors and breast density and considering chemoprevention for those found to be at high risk. Several lifestyle changes with the potential to prevent breast cancer should be recommended regardless of risk.

The joint association of average volume of alcohol and binge drinking with hazardous driving behaviour and traffic crashes

BACKGROUND

Previous studies on alcohol-related road safety have not assessed the joint impact of average volume of alcohol and binge drinking.

AIM

To examine the joint and separate association of average volume of alcohol and binge drinking with hazardous driving behaviour and traffic crashes.

METHODS

Data were drawn from telephone interviews conducted in the period 2000-2005, with 12 037 individuals representative of the population aged 18-64 years in the Madrid region, Spain. The threshold between average moderate and heavy volumes was 40 g of alcohol/day in men and 24 g/day in women. Binge drinking was defined as intake of >or= 80 g of alcohol in men and >or= 60 g in women, during any drinking occasion in the preceding 30 days. Individuals were classified into the following categories: (i) non-drinkers; (ii) moderate drinkers with no binge drinking (MDNB); (iii) moderate drinkers with binge drinking (MDB); (iv) heavy drinkers with no binge drinking (HDNB); and (v) heavy drinkers with binge drinking (HDB). Analyses were performed using logistic regression, with adjustment for sex, age and educational level.

FINDINGS

Frequency of inadequate seat-belt use increased progressively across categories of alcohol consumption, with odds ratio (OR) 1 in non-drinkers, 1.19 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.33] in MDNB, 1.69 (1.41-2.03) in MDB, 1.68 (1.24-2.29) in HDNB and 2.41 (1.83-3.18) in HDB (P for trend <0.001). Compared with MDNB, alcohol-impaired driving was also more frequent in MDB (OR 7.43; 95% CI: 5.52-10.00), HDNB (OR 7.31; 95% CI: 4.37-12.25) and in HDB (OR 15.50; 95% CI: 10.62-22.61). Lastly, compared with non-drinkers, frequency of traffic crashes increased progressively across categories of alcohol consumption (P for trend=0.028), although it only reached statistical significance in HDB (OR 2.01; 95% CI: 1.00-4.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported average volume of alcohol and binge drinking are both associated with self-reported hazardous driving behaviour and traffic crashes. The strength of the association is greater when average heavy consumption and binge drinking occur jointly.