Finally, we examined associations with alcohol consumption at different periods of life. For this analysis, follow-up also began with the 1988 questionnaire cycle when questions on alcohol consumption at ages 18-22, 25-30, and 35-40 years were asked. Based upon these answers, we calculated the cumulative average intake between the ages of 18-40 as a representation of drinking during early adult life and cumulative intake after age 40 as representing intake later in life. When examined separately, alcohol consumption at ages 18-40 and after age 40 were both strongly associated with breast cancer risk (Table 5). The association with drinking in early adult life still persisted even after controlling for alcohol intake after age 40.
