Even minimal regular alcohol could harm health say experts

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDFeb 6 2012

Television adverts are introduced to carry home the message that drinking just a little over the daily recommended alcohol limit can lead to serious health problems. Current medical advice states that men should drink a maximum of four units a day, with women advised to consume no more than three.

However the Change4Life adverts will explain that two 250ml glasses of wine or two pints of continental lager contain six units and daily consumption of that amount of alcohol is bad for health. It could triple the risk of mouth cancer and double the chance of developing high blood pressure. It could also increase the likelihood of stroke and heart disease. The ads will encourage people to be more careful about how much they drink, to have regular alcohol-free days and not to drink at home before embarking on a night out.

In addition to the Change4Life campaign, the government released details of a poll of 2,100 people looking at what was known about the risks linked to drinking too much. Among the findings, the poll revealed 85% of those questioned did not realize it increases the risk of developing breast cancer. In addition, 66% did not know it increases bowel cancer risk, 59% did not known about the raised risk of mouth, throat and neck cancer and 37% did not realize it reduces fertility. The campaign also has a website and leaflets offering tips on how to drink less - such as having booze-free days or just using smaller glasses.

Professor Dame Sally Davis, chief medical officer for England, said, “Drinking too much is a major public health issue. This campaign highlights how easy it can be to use a glass of wine or beer to unwind at the end of a busy day, but these drinks stack up and can increase your risk of high blood pressure, cancer or liver disease.”

Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said, “An estimated 10 million Britons drink more than the recommended limits for alcohol, which puts one in five of us at increased risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and weight gain. There's absolutely no reason why we can't all enjoy our favourite tipple in moderation, but don't underestimate the health risks when one glass becomes two or three on a regular basis.”

And Sarah Lyness, of Cancer Research UK, said, “Alcohol can increase the risk of seven types of cancer, including two of the commonest kinds - breast and bowel cancers. And a recent study showed that nearly 12,500 cancers in the UK each year are caused by alcohol. The risk of cancer starts to go up even at quite low levels of drinking, but the more people cut back on alcohol, the more they can reduce the risk.”

Emily Robinson, of Alcohol Concern, welcomed the campaign. But she added, “Telling people they could be drinking too much can't be our only solution to the country's alcohol problem. We also need to see minimum alcohol pricing brought in as soon as possible, as well as making sure high quality services are available for people who may have developed a serious alcohol problem.”

Chris Sorek, chief executive of the industry-funded Drinkaware, said, “The damage caused by drinking heavily can be grim. Shockingly, most people are unaware that it's actually happening – liver disease, for example, has no warning signs.”

Mouth cancer is diagnosed in more than 5,000 people a year, leading to about 1,800 deaths, while about 12 million people have high blood pressure, increasing their chances of strokes and heart attacks.

Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, is uncommon, but cases have risen by 20 per cent in the past three decades. It affects twice as many men as women. High blood pressure is far more common, with about 12 million sufferers in the UK, about 7 million of which are diagnosed.

Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary, said the campaign was being launched “to alert people that it is not just binge drinkers who damage their health”. David Cameron has recently indicated that he might back a minimum alcohol price in England to deter excess consumption, overruling the advice of Mr. Lansley, who believes the move would have little impact.

In 2009, Prof Sir Liam Donaldson, the then chief medical officer, called for a 50p-a-unit minimum price. However, this idea was quickly quashed by Gordon Brown, then Prime Minister, who said he did not want to “punish the sensible majority”. Health officials are now understood to be examining schemes which could prevent the sale of alcohol at under 40p or 50p a unit in shops and supermarkets.