5% of cancer cases are attributable to long-term, chronic use of alcohol.
22% of the nation’s breast cancer cases can be linked to alcohol consumption *.

“There is no evidence from studies in human populations that any alcohol consumption provides protection against cancer. Alcohol is a significant risk factor for some cancers, particularly those of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, breast, colorectum and liver.” This is the view of the Cancer Council of Australia.

Until recently it was generally accepted that a moderate intake of alcohol could help reduce the risk of heart disease, however it is now thought that this view is very misleading.

Cancer Council Australia CEO and a co-author of the analysis, Professor Ian Olver, said “We have known for some time that alcohol is a major risk factor for breast cancer, but only by applying international data to Australian drinking patterns were we able to estimate that more than one in five cases here are linked to alcohol.”

“A lot of effort goes into raising breast cancer awareness, but how many Australian women are aware that reducing alcohol consumption is one of the best ways to reduce their breast cancer risk?” he said.

Professor Olver added “Factor in the new evidence on bowel cancer in men and the established links to cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus and liver, and alcohol is clearly one of the most carcinogenic products in common use.”

The Council feels it is important to raise the awareness of links between alcohol consumption and the cases of cancer that occur in Australia each year. This will enable people to make more informed lifestyle choices and help minimise their cancer risk.

The Cancer Council of Australia recommends that “people limit or avoid drinking alcohol. Those who do not drink should not take up drinking alcohol. For people who do drink alcohol, recommended amounts are an average of no more than two standard drinks a day for men, and an average of no more than one standard drink a day for women.”

*Cancer Council of Australia statistics

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.
Source: Cancer Council of Australia