Harmful alcohol use linked with increased risk of alcohol-related cancers and injury

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-09/tl-tlh091515.php

Public Release: 16-Sep-2015
The Lancet: Harmful alcohol use linked with increased risk of alcohol-related cancers and injury
The Lancet

A new study of alcohol use in countries of all income levels shows that current use increases the risk of alcohol-related cancers and injury, with no reduction in risk of mortality or cardiovascular disease overall. The research, published in The Lancet, supports health strategies to reduce harmful alcohol use, especially in low-income countries (LICs).

Alcohol consumption is proposed to be the third most important modifiable risk factor for death and disability. However, alcohol consumption has been associated with both benefits and harms, and previous studies were mostly done in high-income countries. This new study investigated associations between alcohol consumption and clinical outcomes in a prospective cohort of countries at different economic levels in five continents.

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Although current drinking was associated with a 24% reduced risk of heart attack, there was no reduction in risk of mortality or stroke, and current drinking was associated with a 51% increased risk of alcohol-related cancers--meaning those of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, colorectum, liver, breast, ovary, and head and neck--and a 29% increased risk of injury in current drinkers. For a combination of all reported outcomes, there was no overall benefit from current alcohol use. High alcohol intake and heavy episodic drinking were both associated with significant increases in risk of overall mortality.

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