How does alcohol affect my treatment?
Following this advice will help your body cope with surgery.
How much can I drink?
-
We advise people to not to drink much alcohol per week.
-
NICE (National Insitute for Health and Care Excellence) recommends people who have had breast cancer to limit their alcohol intake to less than 5 units a week.
-
There is an added risk for those who regularly drink above the UK Chief Medical Officer's recommended limit of 14 units of alcohol per week.
-
Reducing how much alcohol you drink can have many benefits. Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of serious illnesses, including diabetes, liver disease, pancreatitis, heart disease and seven different types of cancer.
Should I cut down on drinking?
The more you drink, the higher your chances of complications from surgery. Anytime you lower your alcohol intake, you lower your risks. If you need help drinking less, please speak with your clinical team. You can also contact your local community alcohol services for support.
Reducing how much you drink alcohol can help your health. Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of serious illnesses, including:
- diabetes
- liver disease
- pancreatitis
- heart disease
- 7 types of cancer.
Moving forward, it is good for you to think about how much alcohol you drink. On this NHS guide you’ll see how many units each drink has.
