There have been many studies. A meta-analysis was published in JAMA in 1998 (smith-warner sa, et al, 279:539-540) <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubM ed&list_uids=9480365&dopt=Abstract> found a relative risk of 1.4 at doses of 2-5 drinks per day. The risk is dose related. Small risk at one drink per day. Negligible effect from several drinks per week. Brian Katcher >Does anyone know the research base for the claim that there is a link >between alcohol and breast cancer? In popular magazines, particularly those >directed at women of course, there have been many references to this claim. >Yesterday I read one that said the link existed even if a woman consumed >only one glass of wine a day. Some of my interest is personal as it is my >wife who has drawn this material to my attention. > >Yet I have historical/social interest as well. As we know, access to alcohol >has been used to regulate the behaviour of targeted groups, be they women, >aboriginal people or minors. A few years ago a Vancouver bar began to refuse >service to women who were obviously pregnant, ostensibly out of concerns >about FAS. Maybe the link between alcohol and breast cancer is strong, but I >would like to pursue it a little further. > >Thanks, >Robert Campbell