Alcohol and cancer: The forgotten link

The World Health Organization has warned about the growing burden of cancer at an alarming pace and emphasized the urgent implementation of efficient prevention strategies. The often forgotten link in the prevention efforts is the one between alcohol and cancer. There is no level of consumption that is safe, as far as cancer is concerned.

The first conclusive links between alcohol and cancer were established back in 1987, yet 25 years later only 36% of EU citizens are aware of this link. Alcoholic beverages affect the digestive tract and contribute to development of the breast cancer. Given that Europe is the world’s heaviest drinking region, with some European countries ranking around 2.5 times above the global average, this calls for an immediate action.

The contribution of alcohol to a range of cancers needs to be better recognized. There needs to be better public information, more awareness among health professionals and effective public health measures to highlight the link and promote action to reduce avoidable illnesses and deaths. The International Agency for Research on Cancer emphasizes that lessons from cancer control measures show that prevention works but that health promotion alone is insufficient. Adequate legislation plays an important role in reducing exposure and risk behaviours.

Eurocare Secretary General Mariann Skar said : “We would like to call on all actors, public and private, to inform consumers about the link between alcohol and cancer. This could be achieved for instance through health information messages on the bottles themselves. It would be at a low cost to the public budget- a constant reminder to raise public awareness about the risks associated with alcohol consumption. We all have the right to know not only what is in our drinks but also what side effects they cause to our health”.

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