Factors Associated With Alcohol Intake in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer

Alcohol intake is a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer, yet patterns of alcohol intake in women with breast cancer remain underexplored. This study evaluates demographic and clinical predictors of alcohol intake in patients with breast cancer.

Patients at Mayo Clinic Rochester diagnosed with breast cancer (Stage 0-3) between July 2014 to March 2022 were surveyed about their average alcohol intake over the 10 years prior to their diagnosis. Alcohol intake was categorized as < 1, 1-4, 5-14, and ≥ 15 drinks per week. Demographic, behavioral, and clinical data were analyzed using univariate Fisher exact tests and multivariate multinomial logistic regression.

Of 2030 participants (mean age at diagnosis: 59 years; 99.3% female; 95.9% White), 29% consumed < 1 drink/week, 48% reported 1-4 drinks/week, 20% consumed 5-14 drinks/week, and 3% reported ≥ 15 drinks/week. Older age at diagnosis (≥ 60 years), non-White race, financial difficulty, and never smoking were associated with less alcohol intake. Patients who reported higher levels of mild-moderate intensity exercise reported more alcohol intake. Tumor stage, tumor receptors, and BRCA mutation status were not associated with alcohol intake. PROMIS-10 physical health scores correlated with alcohol intake in univariate but not multivariate models.

Alcohol intake is more common prior to a breast cancer diagnosis for patients who are younger, White, financially secure, exercising, and smoking. These findings may inform alcohol intake-related breast cancer prevention efforts and highlight patient subgroups who could benefit from targeted counseling at the time of diagnosis.