A large organization of cancer doctors has issued a call to action to minimize alcohol consumption. The newly released position paper from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) hopes to draw attention to the strong links between drinking alcohol and risks for several types of cancer.
The call to action follows a survey commissioned by the organization, which found that 70 percent of Americans do not recognize drinking alcohol as a risk factor for cancer. In fact, alcohol consumption is known to increase the risk of several cancers, including head and neck, esophageal, liver, colorectal and female breast cancers.
Alcohol is classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Cancer Research.
Heavy and light drinking carries risk
The ASCO statement cautions that while the greatest risks are seen with heavy long-term use, even low alcohol consumption (defined as less than one drink per day) or moderate consumption (up to two drinks per day for men, and one drink per day for women because they absorb and metabolize it differently) can increase cancer risk.
Among women, light drinkers have a four percent increased risk of breast cancer, while moderate drinkers have a 23 percent increased risk of the disease. Heavy drinkers who consume more than eight drinks a day have a 63 percent increased risk of female breast cancer because alcohol increases levels of the female sex hormone estrogen.
Heavy drinkers of both genders increase their risk of head and neck and oral cancers by more than 500 percent because tissues come into direct contact with alcohol carcinogens.
ASCO also notes that alcohol can worsen the impact of smoking. In addition, alcohol abuse can complicate outcomes among patients with cancer by contributing to prolonged recovery, longer hospitalizations and increased surgical procedures.
All forms of alcohol, whether beer, wine, champagne or spirits, cause the same cancer risk.
Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology, online November 7, 2017.
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