Number of breast cancers from alcohol use in the US last year:

How much is too much?

Well, the more you drink, the more likely it is you’ll develop breast cancer. Seven drinks a week — doesn’t matter if it’s wine, beer, shots, or mixed drinks — increases your risk by 14%. Fourteen drinks increases it by 28%.

So what's

YOUR

increased risk?

Hover over the numbers to see how your drinking habits affect your increased risk of breast cancer. Find out how drinking more or less each week can change that risk.

1 drink a week

2%

3 drinks a week

6%

5 drinks a week

10%

7 drinks a week

14%

14 drinks a week

28%

1 drink a week

2%

3 drinks a week

6%

5 drinks a week

10%

7 drinks a week

14%

14 drinks a week

28%

But what does “risk” really mean? Risk is confusing. It can be hard to understand how likely it is that a particular thing might happen to you. So let’s play a little game of…

“What are the Odds?”

Guess which one is more likely.

scroll down

Losing your life on a rollercoaster?

Nope! You’re more likely to just lose your lunch. Only a 1 in 300 million chance.

or

Getting a deadly blow from a falling coconut?

Yep! You have about a 1 in 270 million chance of death by coconut. Enjoy your tropical vacation!

Death by cow?

Nope! Your odds of getting murdered by a cow are only 1 in 164 million. Mooove along.

or

A fatal encounter with a vending machine?

Yep! You have a 1 in 112 million chance of dying in a vending machine-related accident — probably worth the risk for that bag of chips, though.

Getting attacked by a bear?

Yep! You have a 1 in 2.1 million chance that your encounter with a bear will be… unbearable.

or

Getting stung to death by murder hornets?

Nope! You only have a 1 in 2.5 million chance that murder hornets will do you in. And that’s only if you live in Japan. For now.

Getting pulverized by an asteroid?

Nope! You only have a 1 in 1,600,000 chance of the sky falling, Chicken Little.

or

Falling off a cruise ship?

Yep! You have a 1 in 850,000 chance of falling overboard. Bon Voyage!

Injured by a toilet?

Yep! You have a 1 in 10,000 chance of a toilet-related injury. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

or

Being struck by lightning?

Nope! You only have a 1 in 15,300 chance of being struck by lightning. Don’t forget your key and kite!

Being born left-handed?

Nope! You only have a 1 in 10 chance of being a lefty (and struggling with zippers, and scissors, and can openers…).

or

Getting breast cancer?

Yes. 1 out of every 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Alcohol increases your risk.

How can I lower my risk of breast cancer?

The simple answer is to drink less, but that can be hard to do. Scroll down for a few tips for drinking less.

Find out more about breast cancer risks.

Your health is important! The next time you’re pouring a drink, think about what you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer. Your breasts will thank you for it. And we can help! We’ve got lots of info on what alcohol does to your body, how to reduce you’re drinking, and how to keep your breasts healthy and happy. Want to learn how to do a breast self examine? Visit our Resources page! Or check out All About Risk to learn the nitty-gritty about how alcohol affects your body.

And if you have any questions for us or just want to say “Hey!” get in touch. You’ll get a personal response from one of our research team, not some annoying bot. We’d love to hear from you.

Number of breast cancers from alcohol use in the US last year:

Number of breast cancers from alcohol use in the US last year:

How much is too much?

So what's

YOUR

increased risk?

1 drink a week

2%

3 drinks a week

6%

5 drinks a week

10%

7 drinks a week

14%

14 drinks a week

28%

1 drink a week

2%

3 drinks a week

6%

5 drinks a week

10%

7 drinks a week

14%

14 drinks a week

28%

“What are the Odds?”

Guess which one is more likely.

scroll down

Losing your life on a rollercoaster?

Nope! You’re more likely to just lose your lunch. Only a 1 in 300 million chance.

or

Getting a deadly blow from a falling coconut?

Yep! You have about a 1 in 270 million chance of death by coconut. Enjoy your tropical vacation!

Death by cow?

Nope! Your odds of getting murdered by a cow are only 1 in 164 million. Mooove along.

or

A fatal encounter with a vending machine?

Yep! You have a 1 in 112 million chance of dying in a vending machine-related accident — probably worth the risk for that bag of chips, though.

Getting attacked by a bear?

Yep! You have a 1 in 2.1 million chance that your encounter with a bear will be… unbearable.

or

Getting stung to death by murder hornets?

Nope! You only have a 1 in 2.5 million chance that murder hornets will do you in. And that’s only if you live in Japan. For now.

Getting pulverized by an asteroid?

Nope! You only have a 1 in 1,600,000 chance of the sky falling, Chicken Little.

or

Falling off a cruise ship?

Yep! You have a 1 in 850,000 chance of falling overboard. Bon Voyage!

Injured by a toilet?

Yep! You have a 1 in 10,000 chance of a toilet-related injury. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

or

Being struck by lightning?

Nope! You only have a 1 in 15,300 chance of being struck by lightning. Don’t forget your key and kite!

Being born left-handed?

Nope! You only have a 1 in 10 chance of being a lefty (and struggling with zippers, and scissors, and can openers…).

or

Getting breast cancer?

Yes. 1 out of every 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Alcohol increases your risk.

How can I lower my risk of breast cancer?

Find out more about breast cancer risks.

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This research was supported by funds from the California Breast Cancer Research Program, of the University of California, Grant Number 25 QB-0500.