1-2 alcohol drinks increase cancer risk in men & women: study

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A new study has revealed that men and women who drink daily may have a higher risk of cancer.

The findings published online in British Medical Journal found that women who drank one drink a day had a 13 percent higher risk of developing alcohol-related diseases, including breast cancer. Men, particularly those who smoked, who drank up to two drinks daily, had an increased risk of developing certain cancers as well. However, men who did not smoke did not show any increased risk.

"Light to moderate drinking was associated with an increased risk of cancers with an established link to alcohol consumption-that is, cancer of the colorectum, female breast, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, liver and oesophagus," Dr. Jurgen Rehm said in an editorial published in BMJ. "The increased risk was driven mainly by breast cancer. Similar findings emerged for light to moderate male drinkers who had ever smoked. No significant association was found in men who never smoked, or in women outside the relation with breast cancer."

For the study, lead author Dr. Yin Cao and colleagues looked at the data of more than 100,000 men and women enrolled in two ongoing US studies. The participants were surveyed to collect relevant information such as medical history, lifestyle factors, disease outcomes, demographicys and dietary intake.

According to BBC, light to moderate drinking in women refers to the consumption of up to 15g of alcohol or wine and up to 30g of alcohol daily for men. According to researchers, smoking is a primary risk factor in alcohol-related cancers and those who drink often smoke.

UK experts say that light to moderate drinking may only have little impact. However, they endorsed reducing alcohol intake and tobacco smoking.

"We have known about the strong link between alcohol and cancer for some time, but this study serves as a useful reminder about how pronounced this is, especially when coupled with smoking, and when people have a family history of cancer," said Dr. Richard Roope of the Royal College of General Practitioners, via Telegraph.

In BBC's report, A DOH spokesman said that despite the decline of regular heavy drinking among the populace, the association of alcohol and disease still remains true.

"GPs do not want to be killjoys - but we want our patients to live long and healthy lives and lifestyle habits, such as smoking and drinking alcohol, are very real risk factors in developing cancer that can't be ignored," said Dr. Roope.