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Even light drinking increases cancer risk
Just one alcoholic drink a day may increase the risk of cancer, according to a new study, which estimates that light drinking is responsible for 34,000 deaths a year worldwide.
New research based on more than 150,000 men and women shows that light drinking increases the likelihood of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus and breast.
One drink a day increased the risk of cancer of the oesophagus by almost a third, according to the study being reported in the Annals of Oncology, which analysed data from more than 200 research projects. Low alcohol intake increased the risk of oral cavity and pharynx cancer by 17 per cent, and breast cancer in women by 5 per cent.
“Alcohol increases the risk of cancer even at low doses,” say the researchers. “Given the high proportion of light drinkers in the population, and the high prevalence of these tumours, especially of breast cancer, even small increases in cancer risk are of great public health relevance.”
via Even light drinking increases cancer risk – Health News – Health & Families – The Independent.
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2 Responses to Even light drinking increases cancer risk
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You’ve asked a great question. The simple fact is that there is no significant benefit in drinking red wine in any amount. The misperception about the health benefits of red wine, and alcohol in general, arose due to some faulty scientific studies conducted more than 10 years ago. Since then much more reliable research has been done and shown no benefits. Unfortunately the alcohol industry has propagated the “red wine myth” so effectively that it has become entrenched in popular consciousness despite the fact that the scientific and medical establishment unanimously agree that it is wrong ie that the most healthy option with regard to alcohol is not to drink alcohol at all!
The situation now is similar to where we were with tobacco in the 1970s. My prediction is that in the next decade we will see a significant shift in society’s attitudes to alcohol as we begin to realise the real cost to the individual and society as a whole. Watch this space!
Our upcoming seminar, Right 2 Childhood, will feature Prof Mike Daube who will be speaking on this issue. see more info at http://www.right2childhood.com.au or on the generation next website.
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How does this correlate to the advice that a glass of red wine a day is supposed to be beneficial to your health? It’s interesting that these studies are giving us different and conflicting information. Who to believe?