Even moderate drinking carries a bigger cancer risk than you think – ScienceDaily

Report on Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

As the holiday season approaches, new research highlights the long-term health impacts of alcohol consumption, particularly its role in increasing cancer risk. Alcohol is a recognized cause of several cancers, even at moderate levels of intake. Despite this, alcohol consumption remains prevalent, and uncertainties persist regarding how frequency and quantity of drinking influence cancer risk. This report emphasizes the findings of a comprehensive review conducted by researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Systematic Review of Alcohol Use and Cancer Risk

The research team conducted an extensive systematic review analyzing 62 studies involving sample sizes from 80 individuals to nearly 100 million participants. The review assessed the impact of varying levels of alcohol consumption—excessive, moderate, and mild—on cancer risk among U.S. adults. It also considered co-existing health conditions such as obesity and chronic liver disease, which exacerbate cancer risk, and identified vulnerable social and demographic groups.

Key Findings on Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk

1. Frequency and Quantity of Alcohol Use: Both the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed significantly influence cancer risk.
2. Types of Cancer Affected: Strong associations were found with breast, colorectal, liver, oral, laryngeal, esophageal, and gastric cancers.
3. Impact on Disease Outcomes: Alcohol use worsened outcomes in conditions such as alcoholic liver disease, leading to advanced liver cancer and reduced survival rates.

Vulnerable Populations and Disparities

• Higher Risk Groups: African Americans, individuals with genetic predispositions, and those with obesity or diabetes exhibited greater cancer risk linked to alcohol.
• Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors: Race, age, education, and income influenced exposure and vulnerability, with lower socioeconomic groups and certain racial/ethnic communities bearing a disproportionate burden despite similar or lower alcohol consumption.
• Protective Lifestyle Behaviors: Adherence to American Cancer Society recommendations on alcohol and healthy lifestyle behaviors correlated with lower cancer risk and mortality, highlighting the importance of integrated prevention strategies.

Additional Risk Modifiers

The review identified several factors that modify alcohol-related cancer risk:

• Beverage Type: White wine and beer were sometimes linked to higher cancer risk compared to liquor.
• Gender Differences: In men, frequent drinking increased risk, while in women, episodic heavy drinking was particularly concerning.
• Smoking: Smoking amplified cancer risk associated with alcohol, with variations by sex and alcohol consumption level.
• Other Factors: UV exposure, family history, BMI extremes, low physical activity, carcinogenic infections (e.g., hepatitis B and C, HPV, HIV, H. pylori), poor diet, hormone use, and specific hair or eye color also contributed to risk.

Biological Mechanisms

Alcohol contributes to cancer development through multiple biological pathways, including DNA damage via acetaldehyde, hormone level alterations, oxidative stress induction, immune suppression, and increased carcinogen absorption. These effects are intensified by pre-existing health conditions, lifestyle factors, and genetic predispositions.

Recommendations for Prevention and Policy

Based on the findings, the researchers advocate for targeted strategies to reduce alcohol-related cancer burden, which align with the SDGs:

1. Tailored Public Health Messaging: Develop culturally and demographically sensitive education campaigns to raise awareness of alcohol-related cancer risks.
2. Strengthened Alcohol Policies: Implement policies that regulate alcohol availability and marketing, particularly aimed at vulnerable populations.
3. Focused Interventions: Prioritize interventions for high-risk groups, including socioeconomically disadvantaged communities and individuals with comorbidities.
4. Integrated Lifestyle Approaches: Promote comprehensive health strategies addressing alcohol use alongside diet, physical activity, and other risk factors.

Conclusion

This comprehensive review underscores that alcohol-related cancer risk is influenced by a complex interplay of biological, behavioral, and social factors. Effective prevention requires a holistic approach that goes beyond reducing alcohol consumption to addressing environmental, lifestyle, and health conditions that exacerbate risk. These efforts contribute directly to achieving SDG 3 by improving health outcomes and SDG 10 by reducing health inequalities.

Contributors

The study was conducted by researchers and medical students from Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine, with collaboration from Case Western Reserve University and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on the health impacts of alcohol consumption, specifically its connection to cancer risk and other health conditions.
   • It emphasizes prevention, health policies, and reducing disease burden, all central to SDG 3.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article highlights disparities in cancer risk related to alcohol use among different racial, socioeconomic, and demographic groups.
   • It discusses how vulnerable populations such as African Americans and lower-socioeconomic groups bear a disproportionate burden.
3. SDG 2: Zero Hunger (Indirectly)
   • Although not directly about hunger, the article mentions poor diet as a risk factor, linking nutrition to cancer risk.
4. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation (Indirectly)
   • Not directly mentioned, but the article’s focus on infections such as hepatitis B and C, which can be waterborne, relates indirectly to this goal.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.
   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including harmful use of alcohol.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services and medicines.
   • Target 3.a: Strengthen the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and other health-related policies.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. Indicators Related to SDG 3
   • Prevalence of alcohol consumption and patterns (frequency, quantity, binge drinking).
   • Incidence and mortality rates of alcohol-related cancers (breast, colorectal, liver, oral, laryngeal, esophageal, gastric).
   • Prevalence of comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, and liver disease that increase cancer risk.
   • Adherence rates to cancer prevention guidelines and healthy lifestyle behaviors.
   • Access to and effectiveness of public health interventions and policies targeting alcohol use.
2. Indicators Related to SDG 10
   • Disparities in alcohol-related cancer incidence and mortality across racial and socioeconomic groups.
   • Measures of socioeconomic status, education, and income in relation to alcohol consumption and cancer risk.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: sciencedaily.com