This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Colon Cancer and alcohol
By Dominic RoskrowAlcohol increases the risk of colon cancer for people with a family history of it, a new report concludes.
That said, there is no discernible increase in risk among higher than average alcohol drinkers in other groups, the report goes on to explain.
And a far bigger risk was created by generally unhealthy lifestyles and behaviour which included smoking and not eating enough grain and green vegetables.
A study based on more than 87,000 women and 47,000 men in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, looks at whether there is a link between colon cancer and alcohol, and if so at what level of consumption, and the importance of a family history of the disease. A total of 1,801 cases of colon cancer were diagnosed during follow-up from 1980 onwards.
The authors results found that subjects with a family history, whose average alcohol intake was 30 or more grams per day (four UK units) had an increased risk of colon cancer. Those at greatest risk also ate the most red meat, smoked the most, and had the lowest intake of folate (suggesting they ate fewer green vegetables and cereals. Hence, these people have the most unhealthy lifestyles in general of the populations studied). There was not a significant association between alcohol consumption and colon cancer among subjects without a positive family history in this study.
The present study provides some support for an association between higher levels of alcohol intake and the risk of colon cancer among subjects with a positive family history of such cancer.
To read the full report go to: http://www.bu.edu/alcohol-forum/critique-068-heavier-alcohol-consumption-may-increase-risk-of-colon-cancer-in-people-with-a-family-history-of-such-cancer-30-january-2012/