Increased alcohol consumption is associated with higher cancer
risk suggests a recent study published in the JAMA Netw Open
Although numerous studies have shown an association between
alcohol consumption and cancer, how changes in drinking behaviour increase or
decrease the incidence of cancer is not well understood.
A study was conducted to investigate the association between
the reduction, cessation, or increase of alcohol consumption and the
development of alcohol-related cancers and all cancers. This population-based
cohort study analyzed adult beneficiaries in the Korean National Health
Insurance Service. Participants (aged ≥40 years) included those who underwent a
national health screening in both 2009 and 2011 and had available data on their
drinking status. Data were analyzed from April 16 to July 6, 2020.
Results:
- Among the 4 513 746 participants, the cancer incidence rate was 7.7 per 1000 person-years during a median (IQR) follow-up of
6.4 years. - Compared with the sustainer groups at each
drinking level, the increaser groups had a higher risk of alcohol-related
cancers and all cancers. - The increased alcohol-related cancer incidence
was associated with dose; those who changed from nondrinking to mild, or heavy drinking
levels had an associated higher risk than those who did not drink. - Those with mild drinking levels who quit
drinking had a lower risk of alcohol-related cancer than those who sustained
their drinking levels. - Those with moderate or heavy drinking levels who
quit drinking had a higher all-cancer incidence than those who sustained their
levels, but this increase in risk disappeared when quitting was sustained. - Compared with sustained heavy drinking, reduced
heavy drinking levels to moderate levels were associated with decreased cancer
risk.
Results of this study showed that increased alcohol
consumption was associated with higher risks for alcohol-related and all
cancers, whereas sustained quitting and reduced drinking were associated with
lower risks of alcohol-related and all cancers. Alcohol cessation and reduction
should be reinforced for the prevention of cancer.
Reference:
Yoo JE, Han K, Shin DW, et al. Association Between Changes
in Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(8):e2228544.
doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.28544
Keywords:
Increased, alcohol, consumption, associated, higher, cancer,
risk, Jung Eun Yoo, Kyungdo Han, Dong Wook Shin, Dahye Kim, Bong-seong Kim, Sohyun
Chun, Keun Hye Jeon, Wonyoung Jung, Jinsung Park, Jin Ho Park, Kui Son Choi, Joo
Sung Kim, JAMA Netw Open