Weather
Alcohol Causes 20,000 Cancer Deaths in the U.S. AnnuallyRelated Content
Smoking often gets the attention, but new research shows alcohol is one of leading causes of preventable cancer deaths in the U.S. A new study published in the April 2013 issue of the American Journal of Public Health shows that about 20,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. a year -- about 3.5 percent of all cancer-related deaths -- are caused by alcohol consumption. "The relationship between alcohol and cancer is strong, but is not widely appreciated by the public and remains underemphasized even by physicians," senior author Dr. Timothy Naimi, an associate professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, said in a press release. "Alcohol is a big preventable cancer risk factor that has been hiding in plain sight." The World Health Organization has labeled alcohol as the world's third largest risk factor for disease burden, saying it can cause neuropsychiatric disorders and other chronic diseases such as heart diseases, cirrhosis of the liver and various cancers. It added that 30 percent of cancer deaths are caused by five behavioral and dietary factors, including high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol use. Previous studies have shown that drinking alcohol can increase risk factors cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum and breast, the study authors noted. Other worldwide statistics show that alcohol is a cause for about 4 percent of cancer deaths worldwide, but before this study, not that much research has focused on the U.S. The study authors conducted their analysis by looking at sales-based data on per capita alcohol consumption and two national surveys that looked at alcohol usage. They also considered U.S. mortality data from 2009, specifically looking for deaths from the seven cancers known to be associated with alcohol use that were listed above. They found that 18,178 to 21,284 alcohol-attributable cancer deaths occurred in 2009, making up 3.2 percent to 3.7 percent of all cancer deaths. Researchers determined that alcohol-related cancer death took away an average of 18 potential years from a person's life. Average consumption for the group was 1.5 drinks a day or less, and those drinkers made up 30 percent of the reported deaths. Larger amounts of alcohol led to higher risks of dying from cancer. Forty-eight to 60 percent of the deaths were attributed to people who drank three or more drinks a day. "When it comes to alcohol consumption and cancers, clearly excessive drinking is the riskiest type of drinking," Naimi said to CBS station WBZ in Boston. "But when it comes to cancer, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption." In addition to figuring out how many cancer deaths were related to alcohol, researchers also determined that breast cancer was the most common type of drinking-related deaths in women. This form of cancer alone made up 15 percent of the alcohol-related deaths, amounting to 6,000 women annually. For men, mouth, throat and esophageal cancers were the most common alcohol-associated deaths, making up about 6,000 deaths annually. Naimi recommended to Prevention that people not start drinking, and if they do they should definitely cut down "plain and simple." "The purpose of this study is not to stigmatize moderate drinking, and I apologize if this makes people feel bummed out," Naimi said to Prevention. "But it is important for people to know that yes, alcohol is a carcinogen, and it does increase your risk. That's the bottom line." |
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
|
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
JAN said on Tuesday, Feb 19 at 10:57 PM
I HAVE LONG SAID THAT ALCOHOL IS OUR MOST INSIDIOUS DRUG BECAUSE IT'S LEGAL, AND SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE.
114014021Anonymous said on Tuesday, Feb 19 at 2:07 PM
meanwhile prescription drugs kill over 100,000 in this country alone... Haven't hear of doctors wanting to ban them...
113971615freud101 said on Sunday, Feb 17 at 3:46 AM
It's not the science. It's the UNINFORMED REPORTING!!!!!! The actual study indicates a CORRELATION exists. Any college freshman knows "correlations do speak to CAUSE." The problem is the reporting. The word 'cause' should have never been used. The science never claims a CAUSAL link between cancer and alcohol consumption. Your problem is with the news report not the science. Very ignorant reporting. It misinformed readers. Shame.
113718836Stan said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 5:36 PM
3.5% is very low. How does anyone know if alcohol is related to cancer if the numbers as so low?
113700151uh yeah no du said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 5:18 PM
anything that is not natural for intake to your body is bad...but we keep putting foreign objects in our mouths...and out of the mouth of babes you cry about all those deaths from drinking...well then don't drink...or don't smoke...mind over matter...
113699496bob said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 4:09 PM
People who drank water also died... Sounds like bad science to me.
113696716Juiced said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 3:58 PM
As if. Pseudoscience at its best. I keep being told the glass or two of red wine is GOOD for me, now I am told not to drink that either. Show this "study" to the French and Italians. They will laugh in your face. Salute!
113696252john said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 3:52 PM
Sounds like a pretty weak link at best. Lets see some real evidence.
113696022Nyewarrior said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 3:45 PM
What kind of pseudo-science claptrap is this. When you quote a study, at least let it be from a research institute of some renown. Balderdash!!!
113695672CW said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 2:59 PM
They already pay high taxes (sin taxes) on these products, just make sure the taxes go towards medical care.
113692581roneida said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 2:56 PM
At least, the alcohol is not subsidized by the government like tobacco is. Smoking cause far more cancer than alcohol. Someone should sue the feds for paying for that killer.
113692495johnny said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 1:50 PM
obama brews his own beer in the white house he better stop drinking beer thats not a good example to show the children .president obama stop drinking beer .
113688131bullsEye said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 1:37 PM
Apparently Obama must now favour banning alcohol. If he thinks banning Assault Rifles are worth it if it saves even 1 life, it would follow that he favours banning alcohol, cigarettes, abortions, hammers, knifes, fire and taxes. I for one applaud him for his courage in taking such a tough stand.
113687091the truth said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 12:47 PM
the study dıdnt dıfferentiate between smoking and non-smoking drinkers
113683785JustGreat said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 12:29 PM
I knew there was something wrong but I drank it anyway...same with smoking. I say let drinkers and smokers pay higher medical costs.
113682471Add a comment
Most Popular