Breast cancer deaths attributable to alcohol consumption: Italy, 2015–2019

• Published in: Breast (Edinburgh) 2023-10, Vol.71, p.96-98
• Main Authors: Driutti, Marco, Dal Maso, Luigino, Toffolutti, Federica, Valdi, Giulia, Bidoli, Ettore, Giudici, Fabiola, Parpinel, Maria, Serraino, Diego
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcohol; Attributable fraction; Breast cancer; Death; Impact; Italy; Short Communication
• ISSN: 0960-9776; 1532-3080; 1532-3080
• DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.08.004

A study was conducted to assess the fraction of female breast cancer (BC) deaths attributable to alcohol consumption in Italy. National mortality data for the period 2015–2019 were used along with national estimates of women from the general population exposed to moderate (11–20 gr/day) or heavy (>20 gr/day) alcohol consumption. From 2015 to 2019, 2918 (4.6%) out of 63,428 BC| deaths were attributable to alcohol consumption, including 1269 deaths (2.0%) caused by moderate consumption. Study findings could help stakeholders to prioritize programs aimed at reducing alcohol consumption, and to improve ways to effectively communicate alcohol-related health risks, including moderate consumption. •Alcohol is a well-established risk factor for seven cancers, but its impact on breast cancer mortality is poorly known;•The aim of this study was to estimate, in Italy for the period 2015–2019, the fraction of female breast cancer deaths attributable to moderate or heavy alcohol consumption.•Out of 63,428 of breast cancer deaths, 2.0% (i.e., 1269) were attributable to moderate alcohol consumption and 2.6% (i.e., 1649) to heavy consumption.