Globally, an estimated 741,300 of all new cases of cancer in 2020 were attributable to alcohol consumption, according to a just-released study in The Lancet Oncology. That’s roughly 4·1% of all new cancer cases.
Males accounted for 568,700 of all alcohol-attributable cancer cases last year. Cancers of the esophagus accounted for 189 700 cases; liver, 154 700 cases , and breast, 98 300 cases contributed the most cases. Heavy drinking was responsible for most of the cases — 346 400 cases, while risky drinking was attributed to 291 800 cases, the study found. Moderate drinking contributed 103 100, or 13·9%, of all cases, and drinking up to 10 grams, roughly four ounces, per day contributed 41 300 cases.
Alcohol consumption per capita has decreased in many European countries, especially those in eastern Europe, whereas alcohol use is on the rise in Asian countries, such as China, India, and Vietnam, and in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The study noted that there is low public awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer among the general public and suggested adding warnings similar to those used on tobacco products, might deter purchase of bev/al and increase awareness of the link of alcohol to cancer. This could increase public support for alcohol policies, the study opines. It notes the World Health Organization advocates for increase taxation, limit purchasing availability, and reduce marketing of alcohol brands to the public.
The study’s authors say it is possible that some of the alcohol-related cancers in their study could have been caused by tobacco or triggered by hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection or aflatoxin exposure.