Research Highlights the Link Between Alcohol And Cancer

Research Highlights the Link Between Alcohol And Cancer

Research published in the New Zealand Medical Journal today shows that although injury is the biggest cause of alcohol-related deaths overall, the leading cause of death in women, both Maori and non-Maori women, is breast cancer. In fact, Maori women have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world.

Further, the research highlights the influence of alcohol in other common cancers, in particular bowel cancer which affects both men and women.

“Most New Zealanders know about the risk of injury due to alcohol” said Professor Doug Sellman, a medical spokesperson for Alcohol Action NZ, “but the link with cancer is not so well known”.

“Ethyl alcohol, the alcohol in beer wine and spirits, is a Group 1 carcinogen, according to the World Health Organisation. Group 1 carcinogens are chemicals which can directly cause cancer” added Dr Jeremy McMinn another Alcohol Action medical spokesperson.

“Although alcohol is not likely to be the main cause of common cancers such as breast and bowel cancer the fact it is a very widespread carcinogen in the New Zealand population, due to it being New Zealand’s favourite recreational drug, means that the rate of these cancers is significantly higher than it could be if heavy drinking was curtailed.

NB: Alcohol Action NZ is partnering with the Cancer Society of New Zealand in running New Zealand’s first conference on Alcohol and Cancer, at Te Papa, Wellington on Wednesday 17th June 2015.

ENDS

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