A new study published in the British Medical Journal has found that even light and moderate drinking of up to two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women could increase the risk of cancer.
The research analyzed two large US studies involving more than 100,000 adult participants. The clearest link between daily alcohol intake and malignant tumors was found for breast cancer.
Scientists declared that their findings reinforce the already well-known health message that people should their alcohol consumption and don't consume alcohol every single day. By having some alcohol-free days, the risk of cancer can be lowered. It is not clear yet what is the safe level of drinking. However, for those who use to drink it is recommended to respect the daily limits in order to maintain the risks of harming their health low, according to scientists and the medical community.
Alcohol is linked to various illnesses risks, including liver and kidney disease, heart disease, an increased risk of mouth, gullet, throat, liver, bowel, and breast cancer. By associating drinking with smoking the cancer risk increases further. Studies have shown that all types of alcohol can increase cancer risk and that the more alcohol is consumed, the higher the risk.
By cutting down on alcohol, people can reduce their cancer risk, according to several studies. The medical community and the health organizations recommend that women two to three units (two small glasses of 12% wine) a day and men should not regularly drink more than three to four units (two cans of 4.5% lager) a day. However, these current drinking guidelines are under review and they might change as the result of new data.
The American studies define light to moderate drinking as up to 30g alcohol (two 355ml bottles of beer) per day for men and up to 15g alcohol (a small glass of wine) per day for women. The researchers observed for women that the risk of alcohol-related cancers increases even after one drink a day. The risk of cancer most associated with alcohol intake in women is mainly for breast cancer. Studies have shown that the risk of breast cancer increases in women even after one alcoholic drink a day.
Among men who were current or ex-smokers the risk of certain cancers is increased in a case of light or moderate drinking.
Dr Jurgen Rehm at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto declared in an accompanying editorial to the published study that people with a family history of cancer should reduce their daily alcohol intake below recommended limits or even better, they should abstain altogether.
