Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Friday, May 9, 2008

Alcohol as a cause of Cancer
May 2008

Alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for cancer and in 1988 alcohol was classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 carcinogen. This is the highest IARC classification for humans. Alcohol is a risk factor for cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, and liver. The carcinogenicity of alcoholic beverages was reassessed by IARC in February 2007. The Working Group concluded that the occurrence of malignant tumours of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colo-rectum and female breast were causally related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

The key national guidelines that outline recommendations in relation to alcohol consumption are published by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). This guidance has recently been revised with the draft guidelines released in October 2007 for public consultation.

The new guidelines recommend lower alcohol intake than the previous 2001 edition. The draft guidelines recommend that for low risk of both immediate and long-term harm from drinking, men and women should not exceed two standard drinks in any one day. This recommendation is consistent with that of the World Health Organization (WHO)9. However, it is important to recognise that this guidance takes into consideration all health risks and benefits associated with alcohol consumption. An increased risk of cancer may actually be evident at levels of alcohol intake classified by the NHMRC as ‘low risk’. The draft guidance from the NHMRC states that alcohol is a cause of cancer of the mouth, throat and oesophagus, and is a risk factor for cancer of the stomach, breast, liver and pancreas, and it has also been associated with bowel cancer risk.

The aim of this literature review is to provide a summary of the current evidence relating to the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer.

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