Thousands of Cancer Cases Each Year could be Prevented by Reducing Alcohol Consumption, says Report

Perth County – According to a new report from Cancer Care Ontario, alcohol consumption caused between 1,000 and 3,000 cases of cancer diagnosed in Ontario during 2010.

Drinking alcoholic beverages increases the risk of cancers of the mouth and throat, esophagus and liver. It is also a cause of colorectal and breast cancers, two of the three leading causes of cancer death in Ontario.

“Out of more than 200 conditions caused by alcohol, cancer ranks as number one – even ahead of injuries and liver cirrhosis,” says Annette Hoyles, Public Health Promoter. “Most people are very surprised when they learn that alcohol can cause cancer.”
Any amount of alcohol consumption increases a person’s risk of developing these cancers, even as little as having one drink a day. However, those who choose to drink but still want to reduce their risk of developing cancer should limit their alcohol intake to be within the following guidelines as recommended by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS):
Less than one drink a day for women; and
Less than two drinks a day for men.

At the very least, anyone who chooses to drink alcohol is recommended to follow the more general Canadian Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines (LRADGs), which recommend the following limits to reduce long-term health risks for multiple chronic diseases:
Women consume no more than 10 drinks a week and no more than two drinks a day most days; and
Men consume no more than 15 drinks a week and no more than three drinks a day most days.
“There is no such thing as risk-free drinking, but following the Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines can lower the risk,” adds Hoyles.

The Health Unit’s new campaign, Rethink Your Drinking, is designed to promote the Canadian Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines and help change the way we think about and use alcohol. For more information, visit www.rethinkyourdrinking.ca.

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