Changes in Alcohol Consumption Linked With Levels of Cancer Risk

Increased alcohol consumption was associated with higher risks for alcohol-related and all cancers, while sustained abstinence and reduced alcohol consumption were found to reduce risks of alcohol-related and all cancers, according to a new study.

Findings were published online in JAMA Network Open.

In a population-based cohort study, researchers analyzed 4.5 million adult beneficiaries in the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Participants included those who underwent a national health screening in 2009 and 2011 and had available data on their alcohol consumption status. Data were analyzed from April 16 to July 6, 2020.

Alcohol consumption, which was self-reported in health screening questionnaires, was divided into 4 categories: no alcohol consumed, mild alcohol consumption, moderate alcohol consumption, or heavy alcohol consumption. Changes in alcohol consumption between 2009 and 2011 were also examined.

Findings from the analysis included:

• Overall, the incidence rate of cancer was 7.7 per 1000 person-years during a median follow up 6.4 years.
• Compared with the sustainer group (those who sustained a consistent level of alcohol consumption), those who increased consumption had a higher risk of alcohol-related cancers and all cancers. Increased alcohol-related cancer incidence was associated with dose, i.e. those whose status changed from nondrinker to mild, moderate, or heavy drinker had an associated higher risk than those who did not drink.
• Conversely, those with mild drinking levels who quit drinking had a lower risk of alcohol-related cancer than those who sustained their alcohol consumption levels.
• Reducing alcohol consumption from heavy to moderate or mild levels was associated with a decreased risk of alcohol-related and all cancers.
• Those with moderate or heavy drinking levels who quit consuming alcohol altogether had a higher all-cancer incidence than those who sustained their consumption levels, but when quitting was sustained, the increased risk disappeared.

Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that alcohol cessation and reduction should be reinforced for the prevention of cancer.

Reference

Yoo JE, Han K, Shin DW, et al. Association between changes in alcohol consumption and cancer risk. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(8):e2228544. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.28544