The World Health Organisation has stated that no amount of alcohol is safe for consumption. The WHO statement in The Lancet Public Health journal further added that alcohol causes seven types of cancer. Thus, the carcinogenic effects of alcohol can start at any threshold. No matter what portion of alcohol a person consumes, they are at risk of cancer.
The is no safe level of alcohol because no scientific evidence provides a mark when there is no risk of illness or injury. In 2020, alcohol caused 740,000 cases of cancer in the world, according to the Guardian.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, alcohol with asbestos, radiation, and tobacco are high-risk Group 1 carcinogens that contribute the most to cancer globally.
Alcohol causes seven kinds of cancer. Out of these, the most prominent ones are bowel cancer and female breast cancer. Moreover, alcohol directly connects to the oesophagus, liver, and colorectal cancers.
Any beverage that contains alcohol, despite the price, amount or quality, has a risk of causing cancer. Compounds break down in the body through multiple biological mechanisms during which alcohol can produce cancerous cells.
According to WHO, no studies prove the potential benefits of alcohol on cardiovascular diseases or type 2 diabetes. However, research says that people who drink ‘booze’ are more prone to cardiovascular diseases. Among alcohol consumers, the underprivileged strata of the global population are under more threat due to the quality of alcohol available.
In Europe, where cancer is the leading cause of death, light to medium intake of alcohol has led to 23,000 new cases in 2017. Among them, approximately 50 per cent were cases of female breast cancer. Nevertheless, Europe has the highest alcohol consumption level. Over 200 million people are at risk of having cancer caused by alcohol.
(With inputs from agencies)