caring Communication

Know the risks
alcohol and cancer
A
lcohol causes over 900 cancers
in Ireland every year, with
500 deaths, according to the
HSE National Cancer Control
Programme, who reminded everyone that
while there is no safe lower limit of alcohol
consumption, the cancer risk can be greatly
reduced by drinking less.
Stressing that ‘the more we drink the
greater our risk of alcohol related cancer,’
Dr Marie Laffoy, Consultant in Public Health
with the HSE National Cancer Control Programme,
said, “The cancers caused by alcohol
can take many years to develop, so the
effect of drinking habits today will be seen
well into the future.”
Alcohol is known to cause seven cancers
– breast, bowel (colon and rectum), pharynx,
larynx, oesophagus and pancreas. While the
highest risk is for head and neck cancer, the
greatest impact in Ireland relates to breast
and bowel cancer, simply because these are
common cancers.
“For women in Ireland, the most important
impact from alcohol is in relation to breast
cancer. Approximately 12pc of all breast
cancers (300 cases per year) are associated
with alcohol consumption. For men, the most
important impact relates to bowel cancer
where around 100 cases are caused by alcohol
annually (one in every twelve cases). Consumption
of just one standard drink per day
is associated with a seven per cent increase
in the risk of developing breast cancer, compared
to non drinkers, while consuming three
to six standard drinks per day increases the
risk of breast cancer by 41pc,” said Dr Laffoy.
“There is a very long lag time between
exposure to alcohol and the development of
cancer (10-20 years). This is an especially
important message for young women in relation
to breast cancer risk. New research has
shown a clear association between drinking
in young women and the risk of developing
both benign breast disease and breast
cancer in later life. Therefore teenage girls
should delay the onset of drinking for as long
as possible.”
It has been widely acknowledged that the
volume of alcohol consumption in Ireland (11
litres per person per year) is higher than the
European average (nine litres per person per
year).
The NCCP stressed however that most
alcohol related cancers can be prevented by
adhering to Department of Health low-risk
drinking guidelines (up to 11 standard alcoholic
drinks per week for women and up to 17
for men).
A standard drink is half a pint of beer, a
single measure of spirits or a small glass of
wine. Overall in relation to alcohol and cancer
risk, Dr Laffoy stated: “Less is good and
none is best of all.”
Alcohol is known to
cause seven cancers
– breast, bowel (colon and
rectum), pharynx, larynx,
oesophagus and pancreas.
While the highest risk is for
head and neck cancer, the
greatest impact in Ireland
relates to breast and bowel
cancer, simply because
these are common cancers.
Human liver cancer organ as a medical symbol of
a malignant tumor red cell disease as a cancerous
growth spreading through the digestive system by
alcohol and other environmental toxic reasons.
spring 2016 | health matters | 71