Changes in cancer mortality rates and per capita alcohol consumption in Ontario, 1963-1983

Data on Ontario per capita alcohol consumption and alcohol-related cancer mortality rates from 1963 to 1983 generally correlated positively and significantly. Correlations for the period of rising consumption (1963-1974) were similar to those observed for the total period, but during the period of stabilization and decline of alcohol consumption the magnitude of nearly all relationships decreased substantially. The overall positive and significant correlation between per capita alcohol consumption and various cancer site mortality rates may be partly due to lag effects from the period when consumption was on the rise.