Booze body slams alcohol-related cancer report

The Alcohol Information Partnership has hit out at a recent report commissioned by Cancer Research UK, which predicts that alcohol will cause 135,000 cancer deaths in the UK by 2035.

The Alcohol Information Partnership has hit out at a alcohol-related cancer report commissioned by Cancer Research UK

The independent non-profit organisation, which is funded by the eight biggest alcohol spirits companies – Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Beam Suntory, Remy Cointreau, Gruppo Campari, Bacardi, Brown-Forman, and Moet Hennessy –  said information in the report by Sheffield University was “at odds” with Cancer Research UK’s website.

The research estimated that over the next 20 years the UK could expect to see 7,097 alcohol-related cancer deaths annually, with oesophageal cancer set to see the largest increase at 3,674 deaths per year.

Director general of the AIP, Dave Roberts, said: “According to Cancer Research UK, oesophageal cancer accounts for 2% of all new cancers in the UK and that a person’s risk depends on many factors including age, genetics and exposure to life style risks. Information from Cancer Research UK states that 66% of cases are linked to smoking.

“This report appears to be somewhat at odds with Cancer Research UK’s website that states deaths from oesophageal cancer have fallen by 8% over the last decade and are set to fall by a further 16% by 2035, and that for the past 10 years overall rates have remained stable with a 5% decrease in women.”

Speaking on behalf of the AIP, which aims to ensure that the debate around alcohol and alcohol misuse remains balanced, Roberts also highlighted data from The Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 – which states that the UK overall alcohol-related cancer death rate has dropped by 7.5% since 2005.

“Alcohol consumption in the UK has fallen over the past decade with a 32% fall in harmful drinking among young people and a 61% fall in the number drinking alcohol in the past five days,” he added.

“An increased risk of cancer is always serious. However, the data suggests that to reduce the risk of cancer adults should consume alcohol within government guidelines, avoid smoking, eat well and exercise.”