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Subscribe to RSSThe first update of alcohol-linked cancer deaths in the U.S. in three decades shows that booze can be blamed for nearly 20,000 deaths a year -- and it’s not just the heavy drinkers.
Certainly those who downed three or more drinks a day accounted for most of the deaths from seven kinds of cancer, up to 60 percent, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health.
But consuming just 1.5 drinks a day -- or less -- was associated with up to 35 percent of those cancer deaths, suggesting that any alcohol use carries some risk.
“For non-drinkers, it’s another reason to feel happy they don’t drink,” said Dr. Timothy Naimi, the study’s director and an associate professor at the Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health. “For drinkers, it shows that when it comes to cancer, the less you drink, the better.”
The study, conducted in conjunction with researchers from the U.S., Canada and France, used recent data and studies on alcohol consumption and cancer mortality to provide a long-delayed update on alcohol-related cancer deaths in America.
The researchers determined that alcohol accounted for about 3.5 percent of the more than 577,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. each year, or about 19,500 cases. That's about what scientists thought it was, but no one had checked for 30 years.
Breast cancer accounted for most alcohol-related cancer deaths in women, about 15 percent of all breast cancer deaths, or some 6,000 cases a year, the study found. In men, cancers of the mouth and throat were the most common cause of alcohol-related cancer deaths, also with about 6,000 cases a year.
Despite the numbers, the link between alcohol and cancer death is not well-known or appreciated, the researchers say.
The total number of alcohol-related cancer deaths is more than the 15,500 deaths a year from ovarian cancer, or the 9,180 deaths from melanoma skin cancer, but it receives much less attention and advocacy than other risk factors, they say.
“I just don’t think there’s enough attention across the board, from physicians or public health,” said Dr. David Nelson, a study co-author and a director of cancer prevention at the National Cancer Institute. “It’s missing in plain sight.”
Part of that may be reluctance on all sides to address the health effects of alcohol use in a country where more than 65 percent of adults are either regular or occasional drinkers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“It’s hard to talk about something that a lot of people are pretty familiar with,” Nelson said. “It can be uncomfortable.”
Indeed, the cancer findings are likely to be a buzzkill for people who thought they were off the hook for health risks from moderate drinking. Several studies have suggested that those who imbibe “moderately’’ -- up to one drink a day for women, up to two for men -- may boost their heart health, cut cholesterol, and avoid diabetes.
“We love hearing about studies that say that wine and chocolate and sex are good for us,” said Naimi. “And we’ve always been in search of snake oil.”
(In the U.S., a drink is generally regarded as one 12-ounce bottle of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor.)
The new study focuses solely on alcohol and cancer deaths and doesn’t venture into the long-simmering debate about the possible benefits of moderate drinking, added Naimi, who is an expert in the area.
“Anything that’s a leading cause of death is not a good preventive agent,” Naimi added.
But Eric Rimm, an associate professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health said while the new study provides a valuable update of alcohol's effect on cancer deaths, it doesn't change his mind about the positive effects of moderate drinking on heart disease.
"I think they've pooh-poohed the heart benefits, which is as strong as any evidence can be," Rimm said, noting that studies have shown that those who don't drink have a 50 percent higher risk of heart attack than those who do. "I don't think it can be pooh-poohed," he said.
Naimi countered that studies that show benefits from moderate alcohol use are potentially flawed because they compare non-drinkers and drinkers, who may be healthy -- or not -- for other reasons than alcohol use. Non-drinkers may abstain because of existing health problems, for instance, while moderate drinkers might have other factors, such as education, wealth and lifestyle choices that boost their health independent of alcohol. Besides, there’s never been a “gold standard” study that addresses the issue, Naimi said.
But other advocates of the health effects of moderate drinking acknowledge that when it comes to alcohol, less is better.
“When I talk about heart-healthy diets, my first words are not, ‘Have a glass of wine,’” said Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, director of the women and heart disease program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.
She says she has been known to recommend having a glass of wine with dinner, but “we can certainly get the health benefits from other places and other foods.”
No one should start drinking because of any perceived health benefits of alcohol, and more people should be aware of the risks, including cancer, the experts agreed.
“Why can’t people enjoy their glass of wine without twisting it into a health panacea?” Naimi said.
Related stories:
- No fun! Non-alcoholic wine best for health benefits
- Moderate drinking linked to abnormal heart rhythm
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dr timmy is an islamist. any questions??
LOL. Or a Mormon.
And yet on this very site a few days ago a study was published that one drink a day added 15 minutes to a person's life expectancy! LMFAO
....As long as you don't get cancer from the drinking....
And the green herb shall be used as your medicine.
See? I never understood why people drink alcohol. It's bitter tasting and gross. And you always end up sick and pukey the next day. Why would you ever put that stuff into your system? It's just mind boggling...
And no, I'm not trolling, I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke cigs, No prescription pills, not even Tylenol, not even caffeine, no junk food, and barely any sugar.
My point is, the best way to live a healthy peaceful life is to simply just don't do any of these. I mean seriously, how hard can this be? This isn't rocket science... it's easy, simple, and you end up skinnier, healthier, and worry free~ like me. ^_^
I'll stick to my lifestyle of strippers, booze and weed, thank you very much. I'd rather live than just survive.
You may not be trolling, but you don't spend a lot of time associating with people whose lifestyle doesn't exactly match yours, or you would know that most people who consume alcohol are seldom or never "sick and pukey" the next day, because that is a sign of overdose rather than normal use, and that plenty of good people think various varieties taste good. Are you equally sanctimonious about your avoidance of caffeine and sugar? Heck, there go two of the major food groups. :-) Even if such across-the-board abstemiousness extended my lifespan, I doubt I'd gain in terms of quality of life.
Hey John Krisfalusci- I do know what you mean, of course other than from the drinking part, not even Tylenol for me either becuz since I am a drinker, I dont want to add to the damage to my liver so I save all the "damage" if you will for my drinking! It evens out I think since most that dont drink, do, do other types of consumptions that are damaging to an extinct. I also dont do Pepsi or Coca-cola (caffeine) bad, bad, very bad stuff!
the leading cause of death is birth, no one makes it out alive
Ahh man!!!.....Burp!!! What the hell, I dont think I will ever stop entirely...Cheers...Burp!
Is it Friday yet?!?!...Burp!
More studies that prove absolutely nothing of value.It's all in the genes.
What about the old man who was given 4 months to live because of terminal cancer. He left his wife, went to Greece and started drinking local wine. That was 41 years ago, was he part of the study?? Give me a break,
Yeah, mere life (longevity) is not good enough for me. I need the good life (quality). And that means drinking Laphroaig in moderation while I contemplate the Plato I just read.
And did you hear that concrete causes Alzheimer's? Think about it: more concrete (highways, sidewalks, houses, bridges,etc.) and more dementia these days. Oh, it's just that people are living longer in the modern world. Seriously, epidemiological research is often more misleading than productive.
So would Alzheimer's caused by concrete be called cementia?
My Wife died of cancer just a year ago. She was 42, Asian and had no bad habits. I am 51 in 2 months and I drink beer, Smoked up until a year ago. Had many other bad habits when I was young and I'm still alive. There is a reason they say "May Cause" whenever you look at medical terms. After all, it is called "Practicing Medicine"....... Cancer has been around forever. We all have it inside us. It just depends if we wake it up or not. If we have to live our lifes worried about everything and eating grass and washing it down with water (not safe anymore)......Is that living ??? Happy Valentine's day !!
I'm beginning to doubt oxygen. Klondiko, isn't that a gay Alaskan drink?
so the risk factor is 3.5 percent of the more than 577,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. each year, or about 19,500 cases.
yet the benefit factor is the non drinkers are 50% more likely to get a heart attack, accounting for ??? deaths a year.
tempest in a teapot.
Reading stupid studies causes cancer. I've known people who have lived very healthy lives and cancer still killed them. You might as well enjoy life to the fullest, folks, because no one gets out alive.
Several years ago coffee caused cancer. Now they say coffee prevents cancer. I don't put much faith in those studies.
Screw it, having a scotch on the rocks as I write and will smoke a big fat one tonight. Before long even jerking off will cause cancer.
I think that it is high time that our government imposed
more alcohol control. With alcohol being blamed for 20,000 or more deaths each
year there should be more background checks and limits on container size.
Because I'm such a moderate drinker, this wouldn't bother me. In fact, the government should want its citizens to be moderate and in control of their desires. So I think this is a really good idea.
Ban all high capacity alcohol containers over 8oz. Ban anything over 20 proof. If it saves even ONE life it's worth it right?
Stupid analogy. Guns don't kill people but morons with guns do. Morons should be regulated. Buzz off.
So first they say a drink a day is beneficial...now this says no...I vote for the drink a day study!
I would like to participate in it. ;-)
No one gets out of this life alive. I have an aunt who turned 100 yrs old this past July. She loves her wine. Guess she better quit drinking if she wants to live.
booze is good. no booze is bad. no, now it's good again.
eggs are bad. no eggs are good. no, now they're bad again.
"X" is good. no "X" is bad. no, now it's good again.
shut up. Shut Up! SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gonna go eat my whiskey omelette now.
"In men, cancers of the mouth and throat were the most common cause of alcohol-related cancer deaths, also with about 6,000 cases a year.
Despite the numbers, the link between alcohol and cancer death is not well-known or appreciated, the researchers say."
Here we go yet again! OK... So, let's see. MILLIONS of men drink. Apparently about 6000 may die each year of mouth and throat cancers linked to alcohol...
I drink. Sometimes 1 drink in a day, occasionally several (home-brew and boutique beer is a passion). Sometimes none in a day.
Apparently I am at some risk for cancer. Probably. I'm absolutely sure I'll go out the door one way or another. Not IF, but WHEN.
But I also use those alcohol-laden mouth rinses every day... Hmmmm. Do they figure into this? I bet I do more agressive swirling of mouth-rinses (you know, swirl it around with vigor for a couple of minutes) than I do any beer (try swirling a mouthful of Bud or champers or something around for a few seconds, let alone a couple of minutes!), wine, cocktail, booze, or whatever. Millions of men, and women, too, swirl that mouth-rinse around for minutes, one - 2, even 3 times every day.
Maybe if exposure to alcohol in the mouth raises the risk of mouth and throat cancer...
The concentration of alcohol in the beverage could be a major factor in the risk of mouth and throat cancer. Whiskey can be 50% pure alcohol vs beer at 2.5 to 4%, vs wine at 6% unless it is fortified wine. Did the study compare smokers with non smokers? I would imagine that drinking straight whiskey while chain smoking cigarettes would be most irritating to the system.
What kind of alcohol was used in the study? Do we have any statistics on the difference between a glass of wine and a shot of whiskey or a vodka martini, with an olive? The problem with all these published results is they don't track what is in the drinks to cause the upsurge in cancer! It could be from corn, from potatoes, or from grapes, or olives! I am sure, with further research, there would be a distinction between the ingredients, or preservatives, or flavorings that cause the cancers.
Don't we all love these "you're going to die scenarios" the news is willing to publish, withhout asking the questions I was alway taught in grade school...Who What, Where, When, and Why? If we can't trust our news to verify or research the study enough to pass the information on to us, then really, what good is the story in the first place. Maybe the people in the study all lived next to Three-mile Island and glow in the dark, and drink alcohol to reduce the pain!
Get with the program and find the heck out before passing on this useless information, designed to scare us, without any criteria to authoritatively prove the assumption in the first place!
Pass me the bottle of Titos Vodka......and a bottle of high test beer.....a cigar.....then get on my Harley and ride into the sunset..........cheers!
Ride safely into that sweet sunset, Ironboot1. Maybe we'll pass each other on the way to wherever the road takes us.
Grab a six pack and enjoy. None of us will get out alive anyway.