A Prevent Breast Cancer funded research study to increase awareness of how alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer in women and to promote strategies for cutting down or quitting has recently been launched.

Dr Emma Davies, Reader in Psychology at Oxford Brookes, is looking for 200 women aged between 40 and 65, to take part. They must reside in the UK and currently drink alcohol or drank alcohol in the past, but no longer do so.

Alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of breast cancer, as well as having many other health impacts. Many people are not aware that there is a link between alcohol use and breast cancer. This study aims to increase knowledge about alcohol use and the risk of breast cancer and to support women to reduce their drinking if they wish to do so.

Doctor Davies and her team are aware that alcohol use and breast cancer can be difficult topics, and that it can take courage to share experiences relating to them. The research team includes women aged 40-65 who themselves drink alcohol and people with experience of breast cancer. Women’s drinking is a very under researched area, and so they are inviting women to take part to help them to make positive changes and provide useful resources.

The research team is particularly interested in hearing from women who identify as from a Black, Asian or any other non-white background, as their views are currently under-represented in alcohol research. They are also interested in hearing from people who identify as women as well as people assigned female at birth who now identify as another gender.

Dr Davies said:

There’s a lack of awareness of how drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer in women. The risks build up over time but cutting down or giving up alcohol between the ages of 40 and 65 could reduce future cases of breast cancer.

Our earlier research identified the reasons why women drink in midlife and some of the challenges that they faced when deciding to drink less.

We also found most people were unaware that alcohol consumption is linked to breast cancer. I want to increase awareness of the link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. I also plan to find out more about what tools will help women cut down or give up drinking if they want to.

We know women don’t want a fearful or judgemental message about the dangers of drinking, but more of a supportive message about the benefits of giving up or cutting down, and strategies for doing that.

Dr Davies continued:

There are tools to help pregnant or post-partum women reduce their drinking, but very few resources for women aged 40 to 65.

We need at least 200 participants from a range of backgrounds. We’ll be sending out a questionnaire and later on holding online focus groups.

The results will be released via a short video and webinar and a new, innovative tool to help women if they want to cut down their alcohol intake.

What should I do if I want to take part?

Please read this participant information sheet, so you are fully informed regarding all aspects of the study, which is comprised of a three part process. Please note that you do not have to take part in all three stages of the study.

Once you have read the participant information sheet and would like to be involved, then please provide consent and fill in this survey.

You will then be contacted by the research team.

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

Please contact the lead researcher, Dr Emma Davies, on edavies@brookes.ac.uk if you have any questions or you want further information about this study.

Further information points: 

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Prevent Breast Cancer funds high quality breast cancer research into the prediction and prevention of the disease. Find out more about the type of research we fund and our past and present research projects.

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Published On: May 26th, 2023 /

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About Prevent Breast Cancer

Prevent Breast Cancer is the only UK charity entirely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer – we’re committed to freeing the world from the disease altogether. Unlike many cancer charities, we’re focused on preventing, rather than curing. Promoting early diagnosis, screening and lifestyle changes, we believe we can stop the problem before it starts. And being situated at the only breast cancer prevention centre in the UK, we’re right at the front-line in the fight against the disease. Join us today and help us create a future free from breast cancer. If you have any questions or concerns, email us today.