Alcohol consumption was responsible for more than 4% of new cancer cases in 2020.
That’s according to a recent study published in The Lancet Oncology breaking out alcohol consumption estimates and cancer incidences. An estimated 741,300 cancer cases in 2020 were attributable to alcohol consumption, the study's authors found. That’s actually lower than previous estimates in other studies. For example, 2012 estimates designated 5.5% of cancer cases attributable to alcohol consumption, compared to 4.8% of cancer deaths in 2016 and 4.9% of cancer deaths in 2019.
The vast majority of total alcohol-attributable cancer cases in 2020—some 76.7%—were among males. Esophagus, liver and breast were the most attributable cancers. Breast cancer was the prominent cancer in females.
The study also examined the impact of heavy drinking, defined as more than 60g per day, risky (20 to 60 g per day) and moderate (less than 20 g per day). More cancer incidences were reported among heavy drinkers, with 46.7% of cases alcohol-attributable cancers within this group. Nearly 40% of cancers were among risky drinkers, and moderate drinkers had nearly 14% of cases.
The researchers hoped the findings would benefit health policy when it comes to alcohol consumption and preventing cancer.
“Our findings highlight the need for effective policy and interventions to increase awareness of cancer risks associated with alcohol use and decrease overall alcohol consumption to prevent the burden of alcohol-attributable cancers,” wrote lead author Harriet Rumgay, BSc, of the Cancer Surveillance Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, et al.
The authors suggested improving awareness of the connection between alcohol and cancer, such as “adding cancer warnings to alcohol labels, similar to those used on tobacco products,” Rumgay et al. wrote.
However, it was not clear exactly how alcohol consumption causes cancer.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."