A new study published in the British Journal of Cancer shows that reducing annual alcohol consumption in Australia by one liter a person could significantly lower deaths from several major cancers, particularly among older Australians.
Scientists analyzed more than 70 years of data on mortality, alcohol and tobacco consumption, as well as healthcare spending in Australia to determine the relationship between long-term alcohol consumption and alcohol-related cancer mortality.
The study results confirm that long-term consumption of alcohol is a causal factor in the development of and deaths from several types of malignant tumors. The effect of alcohol was most pronounced in people over 50 years of age, particularly those who had been drinking for many years.
The researchers identified several areas where the effect of alcohol on cancer mortality was most noticeable. In men, alcohol consumption accounts for a significant proportion of deaths from cancers of the upper gastrointestinal and respiratory systems (upper aerodigestive tract), accounting for about 45% of deaths from these cancers. In women, about 21% of deaths from these cancers can be attributed to alcohol.
Furthermore, consumption of alcohol was associated with almost half of liver cancer deaths in men and made a modest “contribution” to colorectal and breast cancer deaths in women. The researchers stress that these findings reflect the cumulative effects of long-term alcohol consumption, not just recent behavioral changes.
The study authors warn that without appropriate preventive measures, alcohol-related cancer deaths could increase as Australia's ageing population and older people become more likely to drink.
Possible countermeasures include higher alcohol taxes, stricter alcohol advertising restrictions, and mandatory warning labels on alcohol packaging.
The study highlights that even small reductions in alcohol consumption among the population can lead to significant reductions in cancer deaths, particularly among older people.
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