By Zoila Palma: A new US study is raising fresh concerns about the link between alcohol consumption and cancer, finding that the proportion of cancer deaths attributable to alcohol has doubled among people aged 20 and older over the past 33 years.
Researchers analyzed more than three decades of data from the Global Burden of Disease Study and found that annual alcohol-related cancer deaths in the United States increased from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023. The findings were published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas.
The study linked alcohol to deaths from several cancers, including those of the breast, liver, colon, rectum, stomach, pancreas, prostate, esophagus and head and neck, CNN reports.
Among adults aged 20 to 54, colorectal cancer was the leading alcohol-attributable cancer killer among men and the second-leading cause among women, while alcohol-related breast cancer was the leading cause among women.
Researchers said the increased risk can occur even with relatively modest consumption, with about one standard drink a day associated with a higher risk of alcohol-related cancer. A standard US drink is equivalent to 12 ounces of regular beer, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.
Scientists say alcohol can contribute to cancer by damaging DNA, causing oxidative stress and inflammation, altering hormone levels and interfering with the body’s absorption of nutrients. The risk may also be greater when alcohol consumption is combined with smoking.
Researchers stressed that reducing alcohol consumption can lower the potential health risks.
While the study does not conclude that everyone must completely stop drinking, its authors said keeping alcohol intake as low as possible is the best approach for reducing alcohol-related cancer risk.
The post International News: New study warn alcohol could account for more cancer deaths appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: A new US study is raising fresh concerns about the link between alcohol consumption and cancer, finding that the proportion of cancer deaths attributable to alcohol has doubled among people aged 20 and older over the past 33 years. Researchers analyzed more than three decades of data from the Global Burden of
The post International News: New study warn alcohol could account for more cancer deaths appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
