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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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Shouldn't Obama outlaw alcohol? Alcohol will run up the cost of his socialized medicine program and drinking also violates Islamic law. Another benefit of prohibition - the business of politics would cost less and running the government more efficient. And the Kennedy's could make a bundle, like Joe Kennedy did, bringing in illegal liquor from Canada.
This just in, 5 billion dollar research project shows that living increases risk of dying.
You all sound just like my alcoholic husband.
I think we can guess why he drinks so much.
"Death is caused by swallowing small amounts of saliva over a long period of time."
George Carlin
I loved that line.
Man - I don't even listen to any of this crap anymore. Sometimes a couple glasses of wine are good for you. The next day you are off to the cancer clinic if you continue to have your daily glass or two of Chaddonay. One day coffee is fine. The next day they are wanting to close the Starbucks death camp. Any or all of these things might be a small contributing factor to bad health, but it is most likely on an individual basis. Whats good for your genetic makeup. In the end we all die. My Dad hardly drank and never smoked and died at age 52 of a major stroke. My grandmother smoked a pack daily, and like to sip a few drinks at night, and lived (in good health) to the age of 95.
Once I heard that toast, barbecued meat, and hashbrowns caused cancer, I stopped paying attention to articles like this.
With so many chemicals around us, it's too late for most of us anyway. Light-up a joint, drink a beer, and enjoy life while you can.
Other studies show that 100% of people that breath air will eventually die!!!!
Dang I was immortal until I popped that top looks like I'm gonna die of butt hole and mouth cancer. No more enema shots :(
What is Progressive Bullsh*t for 300 Alex?
If any of that was true then everyone would have cancer and we would have a cure....but this sutle mind control only fools the weak minded and will raise health cost just like BS global warming caused home insurance policies to raise only to later learned the global warming was a made up eco plot to get money into global studies and the government a new boogie man to scare us with!
Excuse me but I'm off to have a few drinks and then have sex with a woman like God created me for!
And fire up the grill for a nice juicy steak, baked potato, butter, sour cream and chives. Screw the salad and downing brewskis while I'm doing it. Livin large.
now I'm confused .... I thought drinking a glass of wine or beer a day was supposed to be good for you .... I think no one knows anything ..... that's what I think!
I would almost stake money on this that Mothers Against Drunk Drivers bullied and threatened to kill the researchers.
Taking the Flu Shot will kill you faster . Look whats in it. And why dont they give you all the warnings like you see on TV about other drugs ,like this may cause ............................. Cheers !!
They came for Your Cigarettes, Your Money, Your Freedom,Your Guns ? And soon Your Booze ? What's Next ?
Let's see....according to the media from "studies", a glass of wine a day is good for you, reducing the risk of heart attack. But, risk of death from cancer increases with a glass of booze a day.
The primary cause of death world wide is actually birth. You live....you die.
Has anyone ever got out of life alive? We are all going to die some day and there seems to be more things that will kill you that you enjoy than things you can enjoy to make you live longer.
Now and then a few good stiff drinks makes living on this mortal coil more tolerable.
Next week a new study will come out showing 32 drinks a day prolong your life.. listening to these studies and restudies will drive you nuts.
One day it's healthy for you...the next day, it's not...so, I take it tomorrow, it will be healthy for you again! I always wonder what health officials in other countries believe, or is this just more American paranoia? Good grief, MSN...is this really "news"??
Can't believe any of this anymore--one minute it is good for you, the next it is not--I think t is very individual and really, the potential to die from anything, anywhere at anytime is all around us---time to stop keeping these researchers on the payroll.
Back in the early nineties, my Doctor, told me I needed to stop drinking. I said; "How about I only drink once a week? She said; "absolutely not, you have scaring on your liver and should not drink at all. Two decades later, I am 64 and drink a pint of scotch, every few days, because life without a change in reality, gets boring, commonplace and mundane. I don't drive, get into trouble or get into fights, break laws, etc. Don't determine how to live your life, based on people's opinions, on the Internet! Do what you want. Drink, don't drink but don't let other people tell you, whether to drink or not. They all have their own agenda. Otherwise, the chances of getting cancer from drinking is less than dieing in a car accident but I'm not going to tell you not to drive. Have a nice day, enjoy...!
Jesus turned water into wine, case closed.
Oh well, somethings gonna get me. I'm told (and understand) that smokers die 10-15 years earlier than non-smokers, now I'm not supposed to drink. I figure I've already used up my 10 years and I've already had an additional 15 years that I wasn't supposed to have. Time to run outside carrying my rum and smoke a cig (hate smoke in the house). Have a nice night all, whatever you may be doing.
So what, are they going to start withholding treatment for anyone who has ever had a glass of wine in their lifetime? What about Christians? Communion uses real wine (even though it's just a sip).
That's BS. I agree with Denny-1601... propaganda for middle East. They don't want them being drank fighting the infidels.
Everybody dies, if you can't have a drink now and then, living a little longer is a bad trade.
the voices of many fools