Breast and colorectal cancers are associated with alcohol consumption
In February, 2007, 26 scientists from 15 countries met at IARC in Lyon, France, to reassess the carcinogenicity of alcoholic beverages. The Working Group reviewed the epidemiological publications on the possible association between alcohol consumption and cancer at 27 anatomical sites.
A relative risk increase for consumption of 50 g/day has been established for the following cancers:
- Oral Cavity, Pharynx, Larynx, Oesophagus: 2-3 x
- Liver: Difficult to quantify
- Breast: 1.5 x
- Colorectum: 1.4 x
Furthermore, in populations that are genetically deficient in the activity of an enzyme involved in the metabolism of ethanol, much higher risks for cancer, particularly oesophageal cancer, after alcohol consumption have been reported than in populations with a fully active enzyme. This enzyme deficiency, a condition that is particularly prevalent in certain eastern-Asian populations, causes a strong facial flushing response, physical discomfort, and severe toxic reactions.
As these associations were observed with different types of alcoholic beverages, and given the carcinogenicity of ethanol in animals, ethanol in alcoholic beverages was classified as “carcinogenic to humans (Group 1)”.
The adverse effects of drinking and smoking do not simply add up, but seem to be multiplicative.
Read the full press release from the IARC.
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