Breast Cancer Risk: Alcohol, HRT, and Soy with Dr. Ashley Chauvin

Breast cancer is a diagnosis that carries immense weight, fear, and uncertainty. With statistics telling us that 1 in 8 women in Canada will be diagnosed in their lifetime, it is easy to feel powerless. But what if we shifted the conversation from fear to action?

In this episode of Phase to Phase, Dr. Anne Hussain is joined by Dr. Ashley Chauvin, ND, a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner who specializes in helping patients navigate life after cancer. Together, they break down the nuance behind breast cancer risk factors, moving past the sensationalized headlines to focus on what the evidence actually says. Dr. Chauvin explains the concept of "stacking the deck" in your favor, why breast cancer is never a punishment, and how to understand the magnitude of different risk factors. They dive deep into the uncomfortable truth about alcohol consumption, the reality of dense breast tissue, and the often-misunderstood relationship between menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer risk. They also tackle the lingering fear around soy and explain why your non-organic vegetables are perfectly safe (and necessary!). Whether you are looking to reduce your risk or are navigating a diagnosis, this episode offers a compassionate, evidence-based guide to taking control of your health.

Takeaways

• Cancer is not a punishment–risk is about probability, not determinism. You can do everything "right" and still get cancer, or do everything "wrong" and never get it. The goal is simply to "stack the deck" in your favor by modifying the risk factors you can control, without blaming yourself for the ones you can't.

• The magnitude of risk matters as not all risk factors carry the same weight. While environmental factors might slightly increase risk, alcohol is a Class 1 carcinogen. Even moderate consumption can significantly increase breast cancer risk by at least 30% compared to non-drinkers.

• Breast density matters. It’s determined by the ratio of fibroglandular tissue to fatty tissue and can only be assessed via a mammogram. If you have dense breasts (Category C or D), supplemental screening like an ultrasound is often recommended because dense tissue can mask potential calcifications.

• Do not skip your mammogram. While no screening is perfect, the benefits of mammograms far outweigh the incredibly small risks associated with the radiation. Thermography is not an evidence-based alternative to a mammogram and can dangerously delay the diagnosis of a concerning lesion.

• Hormone therapy is not an absolute contraindication: The relationship between menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer is nuanced. For those without a history of disease, the risk is similar to the average population for the first five years. Even for those with a high-risk genetic predisposition (like BRCA1 or BRCA2), hormone therapy may still be an option depending on their complete health profile.

• The myth that soy causes breast cancer stems from outdated 1990s studies on rats. Extensive human trials consistently show that soy consumption is safe, beneficial, and associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer, even for those with a history of estrogen-positive breast cancer. Soy is safe. 

Dr. Ashley’s Links:

instagram.com/ashleychauvin_nd

https://drashleychauvin.com/

 

Breast Cancer Resources: 

Breast Cancer Canada: https://breastcancer.ca/

Dense Breasts Canada: https://www.densebreastscanada.ca/

Canadian Cancer Society: https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/breast/risks

Connect with Dr. Anne Hussain, ND:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://phasetophase.ca/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://annehussain.com/ 

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