WASHINGTON: A new study has shown how alcohol-induced breast cancer develops in women.

Alcohol consumption is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer in women. The study was conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Mississippi Medical Centre.

As part of the study, researchers developed a novel mouse breast cancer model to mimic human breast cancer disease. Estrogen receptor-positive breast adenocarcinoma cells were subcutaneously injected near the pad of the fourth mammary gland of female immunocompetant mice (C57BL/6).

The mice were fed with moderate EtOH (alcohol) for four weeks, the equivalent of two drinks per day in humans. In the second week, mouse breast cancer cells were injected at cite referenced above.

Researchers found that moderate alcohol consumption significantly increased the tumour size of breast cancer and micro-vessel density in mice. This study presents the first animal model to confirm that alcohol consumption stimulates tumour growth and malignancy of breast cancer.