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Light alcohol drinking and cancer: a meta-analysis
V Bagnardi1, M Rota2, E Botteri3
1Department of Statistics, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan; Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, European Institute of Oncology, Milan.
Summary
Even light alcohol consumption, defined as up to one drink daily, increases cancer risk. This study found light drinking is linked to oropharyngeal, esophageal, and female breast cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for several cancers.
- Limited data exist on the cancer risks associated with light alcohol intake (≤1 drink/day).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between light alcohol drinking and the risk of specific cancers.
- To quantify the global burden of cancer attributable to light alcohol consumption.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analytic approach was used to synthesize data from epidemiological studies.
- Literature search conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases.
- Included 222 articles with data on approximately 92,000 light drinkers and 60,000 non-drinkers.
Main Results:
- Light drinking was significantly associated with an increased risk of oropharyngeal cancer (RR=1.17), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (RR=1.30), and female breast cancer (RR=1.05).
- An estimated 5,000 oropharyngeal, 24,000 esophageal SCC, and 5,000 breast cancer deaths worldwide in 2004 were attributable to light drinking.
- No significant association was found for colorectum, liver, or larynx cancers.
Conclusions:
- Light alcohol consumption poses a risk for developing oropharyngeal, esophageal, and female breast cancers.
- Public health initiatives should consider the cancer risks associated with even light alcohol intake.
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