The review cited evidence that alcohol caused approximately half a million deaths from cancer in 2012, or 5.8 percent of cancer deaths worldwide.
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ALCOHOL definitely causes at least seven different cancers, scientists have established for the first time.
The evidence supports “a causal association of alcohol consumption” with cancer in the oropharynx (a part of the throat), the larynx, the esophagus, the liver, the colon, the rectum and the female breast, Connor wrote. Julian Keane spoke to Professor Jennie Connor, Chair in Preventive & Social Medicine, at Otago University in New Zealand.
In addition, previous studies have also found that for some cancers, a person’s risk of developing cancer goes down when a person stops drinking, according to the study.
The highest risks are from heavy drinking, but low levels are contribute to risk.
It also found strong evidence for a link with other cancers, including mouth and throat, liver, bowel and breast.
The study, published in the scientific journal Addiction, concludes that there is more than simply a link or statistical association between alcohol and cancer that could be explained by something else.
She added that the supposed health benefits of drinking – such as red wine being good for the heart – were “seen increasingly as disingenuous or irrelevant in comparison to the increase in risk of a range of cancers”.
“In light of the strengthening of the evidence and the UK’s Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines, the Government has a responsibility to ensure the public are more informed of the risks of drinking”.
“For cancer prevention, we have long recommended that people should not drink alcohol at all, but we understand that this can be easier said than done”.
The growing evidence of alcohol’s role in causing cancer, underlined by a report by the UK Committee on Carcinogenicity, was a key reason behind Davies and her counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland issuing advice that some said was impractical and would be ignored.
Modelling for the study showed that, compared with non-drinkers, women who regularly drink two units a day are 16% more likely to develop breast cancer and die from it.
Scientists are still trying to work out why alcohol can lead to cancer. “And this review is a stark reminder that there’s strong evidence linking the two”.
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“We are working with partners in helping to reduce alcohol consumption among adults and young people and educating them about the effect it has on their health and behaviour”.
