Alcohol & Cancer Risk

There are many conflicting messages about alcohol's effect on our health. And although more research needs to be done, a recent analysis of epidemiological and biological research published in the journal Addiction makes one thing clear: "There is strong evidence that alcohol causes cancer at seven sites in the body and probably others." 

Researchers reviewed studies accumulated over several years and found that even moderate drinking is associated with a higher risk of several cancers. These include cancer of the breast, colon, esophagus, larynx, liver, pharynx and rectum. Jennie Connor, the author of the study, said, "The highest risks are associated with the heaviest drinking but a considerable burden is experienced by drinkers with low to moderate consumption."  

The researchers also found that cancers caused by alcohol are responsible for almost 6% of all cancer deaths in the world.

To reduce your risk of alcohol-attributable cancers, it is recommended that men drink no more than two alcoholic beverages a day and women drink no more than one. See below for how much alcohol is in a standard drink.

If you used to be a heavy drinker, don't lose hope - The researchers also found evidence that people who gave up drinking could reverse their risk of a few cancers, and that the longer they steered clear of drinking, the lower their risk dropped.

Click here to read the published article.