Alcohol Consumption and Breast and Ovarian Cancer Development: Molecular Pathways and Mechanisms

Abstract

Alcohol consumption has been consistently linked to an increased risk of several cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer. Despite substantial evidence supporting this association, the precise mechanisms underlying alcohol’s contribution to cancer pathogenesis remain incompletely understood. This narrative review focuses on the key current literature on the biological pathways through which alcohol may influence the development of breast and ovarian cancer. Key mechanisms discussed include the modulation of estrogen levels, the generation of reactive oxygen species, the production of acetaldehyde, the promotion of chronic inflammation, and the induction of epigenetic changes. Alcohol’s impact on estrogenic signaling, particularly in the regulation of estrogen and progesterone, is explored in the context of hormone-dependent cancers. Additionally, the role of alcohol-induced DNA damage, mutagenesis, and immune system modulation in tumor initiation and progression is examined. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of alcohol as a modifiable risk factor for breast and ovarian cancer and highlights the need for further research to clarify its role in cancer biology.