Elsevier

Cancer Epidemiology

Volume 45, December 2016, Pages 181-188
Cancer Epidemiology

European Code against Cancer 4th Edition: Alcohol drinking and cancer

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2016.09.011
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Abstract

Alcohol consumption is the third leading risk factor for disease and mortality in Europe. As evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs, a causal relationship is established for consumption of alcoholic beverages and cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and female breast, even at low and moderate alcohol intakes. The higher the amount of alcohol consumed, the higher the risk of developing cancer. In Europe, an estimated 10% (95% CI: 7%–13%) of all cancer cases in men and 3% (95% CI: 1%–5%) of all cancer cases in women are attributable to alcohol consumption. Several biological mechanisms explain the carcinogenicity of alcohol; among them, ethanol and its genotoxic metabolite, acetaldehyde, play a major role. Taking all this evidence into account, a recommendation of the 4th edition of European Code against Cancer is: “If you drink alcohol of any type, limit your intake. Not drinking alcohol is better for cancer prevention.”

Abbreviations

IARC
International Agency for Research on Cancer
EU
European Union
RR
Relative risk
UADT
Upper aero digestive tract
ADH
Alcohol dehydrogenase
ALDH
Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase
MTHFR
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
ER
Estrogen receptor
PR
Progesterone receptor
WHO
World Health Organization

Keywords

Alcohol drinking
Cancer
Ethanol
Acetaldehyde
Disease
Primary prevention
Europe

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The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the OECD, or its member countries.