Australian scientists warn, to avoid cancer keep alcohol to a minimum

May 11 2008

Australian scientists are warning that alcohol can increase the risk for a number of cancers.

Research conducted by scientists at the Cancer Institute has revealed that drinking two units of alcohol on a daily basis significantly increases the risks of developing breast, bowel, throat and mouth cancer.

The researchers say alcohol raises the risk of breast cancer by 22 per cent, the risk of cancer of the oesophagus by 50 per cent, cancer of the larynx by 40 per cent and the risk of mouth cancer by up to 75 per cent, and men who drink four units of alcohol a day increase their risk of bowel cancer by 64 per cent.

These revelations contrast starkly to a plethora of earlier research which has found that moderate amounts of red wine could have health benefits and may help to prevent heart disease and strokes.

The Cancer Institute says that the health benefits of alcohol consumption may have overestimated and most evidence suggests that one drink every two days may be cardioprotective, but only in men over 45 years of age and women after menopause.

They say there is no evidence to support the theory that people should take up or maintain drinking alcohol for their health.

The report by the Cancer Institute of New South Wales, found in fact there is no safe level of alcohol and alcohol consumption should be kept to an absolute minimum.

According to Professor Jim Bishop from the Cancer Institute, that alcohol is a carcinogen and known to increase the risk of several cancers, is well established and he says even drinking moderate levels of alcohol on a regular basis can increase the risk.

Professor Bishop says as far as cancer is concerned no benefit is derived from alcohol.

The research is based on data from an international audit of recent cancer research which found that cancer is on the increase.

The researchers say although alcohol is widely available and widely consumed, it is also a known risk factor for several cancers and is classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a Group 1 carcinogen - the highest classification available and signifies the cancer risk for humans.

According to the report 70% of adults in NSW drink alcohol, which comes second only to tobacco as a preventable cause of drug-related deaths - people who smoke and drink are at a far greater risk.

The report says in 2003 there were an estimated 2,844 new cases of cancer and 1,358 deaths from cancer in Australia were attributed to excessive alcohol consumption.

Assistant Health Minister Verity Firth says people need to reconsider their alcohol intake and make the same sorts of decisions about alcohol as they do about other habits such as smoking.

The researchers are calling for tougher drinking guidelines.

The Cancer Institute NSW was founded in July 2003 and is Australia's first State-wide Government cancer control agency which is responsible for reducing cancer incidence, increasing cancer survival, improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their carers and providing expert advice on cancer.