Drinking Alcohol and Fallopian Tube Cancer Risk
Drinking alcohol is not a risk factor for developing fallopian tube cancer or carcinoma. That's the conclusion of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Australian National Centre for Gynaecological Cancers, CancerHelp UK, the Stanford University Cancer Center, the Abramson Cancer Center (University of Pennsylvania), the M.D. Abramson Cancer Center (University of Texas), and other medical organizations.
Risk factors include:
- Age. Fallopian tube cancer occurs most often between the ages of 50 and 66. The peak incidence is between ages 60 and 66.
- Having certain genetic mutations
- Being Caucasian
- Having a family history of fallopian tube cancer.
- Having had no or few children
- Having chronic infection of the reproductive system
Factors that reduce the risk of developing fallopian tube cancer are:
- Having used hormonal contraception
- Having had more than than a few children
- Having breast-fed children
Common symptoms of fallopian tube cancer are:
- Irregular or heavy vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause
- Occasional abdominal or pelvic pain or feeling of pressure
- Unusual vaginal discharge, which might be clear, white or slightly pink (tinged with blood)
- A pelvic mass or lump
- Abdominal pain that comes in spasms
- Enlarged pelvis
A woman with any of these symptoms should see her doctor.
Drinking alcohol is not a risk factor for developing fallopian tube cancer. On the other hand, the moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with better health and greater longevity than is either abstaining from alcohol or drinking abusively.
Drinking in moderation has been described by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) as a woman consuming three drinks on any day and an average of seven drinks per week.
A standard alcoholic drink is:
- A 12-ounce can or bottle of regular beer
- A 5-ounce glass of dinner wine
- A shot (one and one-half ounces) of 80 proof liquor or spirits such as vodka, tequila, or rum either straight or in a mixed drink.
Standard drinks contain equivalent amounts of alcohol.
There is no evidence that any particular form of alcoholic beverage (beer, wine, or distilled spirits) confers greater health or longevity benefits than any other.
Note: This website does not make health or medical recommendations regarding drinking alcohol and fallopian tube cancer and none should be inferred.
Readings on Fallopian Tube Cancer or Carcinoma:
- Alvarado-Cabrero, I., et al. Carcinoma of the fallopian tube. Gynecological Oncology, 1999, 72, 367.
- Aziz, S., et al. A genetic epidemiological study of carcinoma of the fallopian tube. Gynecological Oncology, 2001, 80, 341.
- Cass, I., et al. BRCA-mutation-associated fallopian tube carcinoma. Obstetrical Oncology, 2005, 106, 1327.
- Eddy, G.L., et al. Fallopian tube carcinoma, Obstetrical Gynecology, 1984, 64, 546.
- Heintz, A.P., et al. Carcinoma of the fallopian tube. International Journal of Gynaecological Obstetrics, 2006, 95, Suppl. 1, S145.
- Heselmeyer, K., et al. Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube. International Journal of Gynecological Pathology, 1998, 58, 4274.
- Hu, C.Y., et al. Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1950, 59, 58.
- Klein, M., et al. Primary fallopian tube carcinoma. Archives of Gynaecological Obstetrics, 1994, 255, 141.
- Levine, D.A., et al. fallopian tube and primary peritoneal carcinomas associated with BRCA mutations. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2003, 21, 4222.
Moore, K.N., et al. Serious fallopian tube carcinoma. Gynecological Oncology, 2007, 107, 398. - Pere, H., et al. Genomic alterations in fallopian tube carcinoma. Cancer Research, 1998, 58, 4274.
- Pestasides, D., et al. Fallopian tube carcinoma: a review. Oncologist, 2006, 11, 902.
- Pfeffer, P., et al. Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube. Acta Oncol., 1989, 28, 7.
- Rauthe, G., et al. Primary cancer of the fallopian tube. European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology, 1998, 64, 356.
- Riska, A., et al. Past chlamydial infection is not associated with primary fallopian tube carcinoma. European Journal of Cancer, 2006, 42, 1835.
- Riska, A., et al. Parity, tubal sterilization, hysterectomy and risk of primary fallopian tube carcinoma in Finland, 1975-2004. International Journal of Cancer, 2007, 120, 1351.
- Riska, A., et al. Human papillomavirus infection and primary fallopian tube carcinoma. British Journal of Gynaecology, 2007, 114, 425.
- Rosenblatt, K.A., et al. incidence of malignant fallopian tube tumors. Gynecological Oncology, 1989, 35, 236.
- Stewart,S.L., et al. The incidence of primary fallopian tube cancer in the United States. Gynecological Oncology, 2007, 107, 392.
- Semrad,N., et al. Fallopian tube adenocarcinoma. Gynecological Oncology, 1986, 24, 230.
- Sedlis A. Carcinoma of the fallopian tube. Surgical Clinics of North America, 1978, 58, 121.
- Sinha, A.C. Hydrops tubae profluens as a presenting symptom in primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube. British Medical Journal, 1959, 2, 996.
- Wolfson, A.H., et al. Adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube. International Journal Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys., 1998, 40, 71.
- Yeung, H.H., et al. Adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tubes. Pathology, 1983, 15, 279.
- Zweemer, R.P., et al. Molecular evidence linking primary cancer of the fallopian tube to BRCA1 germline mutations. Gynedological Oncology, 2000, 76, 45.
Internet Resources on Fallopian Tube Cancer:
- Fallopian Tube Cancer Risk Factors http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/cancer-information/cancer-types/fallopian-tube-cancer/index.html
- Fallopian Tube Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Fallopian+Tube+Cancer?sectionTitle=Risk%20Factors%20and%20Prevention
- Fallopian Tube Cancer http://cancer.about.com/od/fallopiantubecancer/Fallopian_Tube_Cancer.htm
- Symptoms of Fallopian Tube Cancer http://cancer.about.com/od/fallopiantubecancer/a/fallopiansympto.htm
- Risks and Causes of Fallopian Tube Cancer http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/about-cancer/cancer-questions/what-is-fallopian-tube-cancer#causes
- Risk Factors for Fallopian Tube Cancers. http://www.oncolink.org/experts/article.cfm?c=3&s=16&ss=66&id=1676
- Fallopian Tube Cancer. http://cancer.stanford.edu/female/fallopian.html
- Fallopian Tube Cancer - Risk Factors. http://health.ucsd.edu/cancer/patcare/gyn/fallopian/
- Fallopian tube Cancer - Who is at Risk? http://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/media/files/ncgc/information_resources/fallopian/05.2%20Fallopian%20tube%20Who%20at%20risk_%20%5B06_04%5D1.pdf
See Also
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