Alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast and colorectal cancer

He Ministry of Health warned this Friday that Alcohol is an important risk factor for various types of cancer, such as breast or colorectal cancer.a problem highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which links consumption of this substance to the appearance of more than 200 diseases.

“The link between alcohol consumption and cancer is one of the most unknown effects, but at the same time one of the most alarming for public health.

Although it is often overlooked, alcohol is an important risk factor for various types of cancer,” the Department of Health said in a statement.

According to WHO, Europe has the highest alcohol consumption in the world: Seven of the ten countries with the highest levels of alcohol consumption are in the European Union (EU), where about 240,000 people died from alcohol in 2019, with three of ten of these deaths caused by cancer.

Similarly, a report published in 2023 by the WHO European Region and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) showed that In 2020, 4.2% of new cancer cases reported in the EU (around 111,300 people) were caused by alcohol consumption.

The report also highlights that most common types of cancer Breast cancer in women and colorectal cancer in men have been linked to alcohol.

In 2018 Alcohol is responsible for approximately 45,500 cases of breast cancer in women in the EU.which resulted in the death of 12,100 people; There were 59,200 cases of colorectal cancer and 28,200 deaths in men.

It was also reported “clear risk” of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and liver. Thus, the combined use of alcohol and tobacco increases the risk of developing some tumors by almost 30 times, for example, tumors of the mouth, throat, esophagus and larynx.

Taking these data into account, the European Commission presented in 2021 European Cancer Plan, which aims to reduce alcohol consumption by 10% by 2025 by prioritizing tax audits and health warning labeling on alcoholic drinks.

Health reminded that”There is no safe level of alcohol consumption regarding the risk of developing cancer.” “Any type of alcoholic beverage, whether beer, wine or liquor, increases the likelihood of developing this disease,” he added.