Want to Lower your Risk of Cancer? Drink Less Alcohol

Perth County – When you toasted in the New Year, what was in your glass mattered.

When it comes to alcohol, the more a person drinks, the higher their risk of certain types of cancer. Drinking less can lower your risk of colorectal, breast and liver cancers as well as head and neck cancers. In 2010, Cancer Care Ontario estimated that alcohol caused up to 3,000 cases of cancer in Ontario.

The link between alcohol consumption and cancer is important as research shows that only one third of Canadians are aware that they can lower their risk of cancer by reducing how much alcohol they drink. As well, smokers who also drink alcohol are at an especially increased risk for cancers of the throat and mouth.

“We want adults to rethink their drinking and decrease the amount of alcohol that they drink to reduce their cancer risk,” says Karen Bergin-Payette, Public Health Nurse. “This is especially important for those who have a strong family history of cancer.”

The Canadian Cancer Society recommends limiting alcohol to less than 1 drink a day for women and less than 2 drinks a day for men. Women are more vulnerable to the health effects of alcohol even when drinking small amounts. For women, alcohol increases the production of estrogen leading to a higher chance of breast cell mutation and a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

“If you are a regular drinker, aim for having a few alcohol-free days each week,” advises Bergin-Payette. “Take it one day at a time with the overall goal of drinking less to lead to a healthy lifestyle.”

Rethink Your Drinking is a regional campaign to help change the way we think about and use alcohol. To learn more:

Call Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267 or toll-free at 1-877-271-7348 ext 267
Visit www.rethinkyourdrinking.ca or www.pdhu.on.ca
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pdhealthunit

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