A Warning for Those Saying “I'm Not an Alcoholic, I Drink Moderately”: One or Two Daily Glasses, Known as Social Drinking, Were Found to Increase Cancer Risk!

Alcohol is known to cause many health problems, particularly liver diseases such as fatty liver, alcohol-related hepatitis and cirrhosis, as well as cancer, gastritis, pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation), hypertension, stroke and dementia. Until now, however, light consumption (averaging 1-2 glasses daily) appeared harmless because it less frequently caused these problems and somewhat reduced heart disease risk. A recently published British Medical Journal study nevertheless showed that light and moderate alcohol use increases cancer risk, particularly in women.

The World Health Organization defined alcohol as carcinogenic (cancer-causing) in 1988. Its cancer report published last year, in 2014, stated that no amount of alcohol is safe. Numerous scientific studies have proven that heavy alcohol consumption increases colorectal, breast, liver, oral cavity, pharyngeal, laryngeal and esophageal cancer risks. Alcohol is also thought associated with stomach, pancreatic, lung and gallbladder cancers. Until now, however, the relationship between light-to-moderate consumption (averaging 1 glass daily or less for women and 2 for men) and cancer risk was unclear. This new study investigated that relationship, also assessing smoking status because smoking and alcohol intensify each other's harmful effects. For example, alcohol increases absorption of carcinogenic tobacco chemicals in the mouth and larynx.

Combining data from 2 separate studies, the analysis involved approximately 175 thousand healthcare workers. It examined the relationship between light-to-moderate alcohol use and cancer, both with and independently of smoking. During follow-up, approximately 9000 women and 1600 men developed an alcohol-related cancer (colorectal, breast, liver, oral cavity, pharyngeal, laryngeal or esophageal cancer). In women, light-to-moderate consumption (less than 15 gr daily) increased cancer risk independently of smoking. In men, such consumption (less than 30 gr. daily) increased risk only among smokers. Thresholds of 15 gr for women and 30 gr for men reflect women's greater sensitivity to alcohol. Approximately 10 gr alcohol equals 1 glass of wine or 1 small can (330 ml) of beer. Although the team did not find a strong association between light-to-moderate use and cancer risk in men, it demonstrated significantly increased breast cancer risk, particularly in women. It additionally recommended that women at high breast cancer risk, such as those with a family history, stop drinking or at least reduce consumption.

In conclusion, alcohol is a leading cause of many serious health problems, including cancer. Light consumption is not as harmless as assumed. Small daily amounts do somewhat reduce heart disease risk, but this does not mean alcohol should be consumed to protect the heart, since studies show it also increases cancer risk. Quitting smoking, regular exercise and healthy eating are the best ways to protect the heart.

With both cancer and other health problems increasing so greatly, take a major step to protect your health: quit smoking and alcohol and open a completely new page for your health.

In a previous article, we noted that alcohol significantly increases colorectal cancer risk .