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Does alcohol affect chemotherapy?

Page last modified on: October 14, 2008
Question from G Smith: I keep reading conflicting information regarding alcohol consumption during chemotherapy. Some say absolutely NO, and others say a small glass of wine on occasion is fine. So which is it, and can I have an occasional glass of wine during the holidays?
Answers —Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S.: I have not heard any evidence that alcohol is somehow detrimental to your chemotherapy regimen. I know many of the oncologists I work with would not disapprove of certainly a glass of wine, or even two on occasion during the evening.
Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D.: Particularly if there are problems with nausea and appetite in general, the wine may serve as an appetite stimulant. But I have not heard that avoiding wine during chemotherapy should be standard practice.

On Wednesday, November 15, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Eating and Drinking Through the Holidays. Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D. and moderator Jennifer Sabol, M.D. answered your questions about how to stay healthy during the most hectic, high-calorie time of year.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D.Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D. is a registered dietitian in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a two-time breast cancer survivor.

Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S.Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon who directs the newly developed Breast Care Center at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Among her many interests, Dr. Sabol spearheads several research initiatives to advance the care for women with breast cancer and improve methods of breast cancer detection and treatment.

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