Alcohol is a known risk factor for cancer. Heavy alcohol use can also cause short and long-term health problems such as cirrhosis of the liver, alcohol dependence, strokes, suicide, injury and car accidents.
There is no evidence from studies in human populations that any alcohol consumption provides protection against cancer. Alcohol is a significant risk factor for some cancers, particularly those of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, breast, colorectum and liver.
Australian data suggests that alcohol intake accounts for 3.1% of the total cancer burden. In 2005, there were an estimated 2,997 new cases of cancer and 1,376 deaths from cancer attributed to excessive alcohol consumption.
This position statement summarises the evidence that links alcohol consumption to cancer and explores the impact that alcohol consumption has on overall health and cancer occurrence.
Based on this evidence, the Cancer Council recommends people limit or avoid drinking alcohol. Those who do not drink should not take up drinking alcohol. For people who do drink alcohol, recommended amounts are an average of no more than two standard drinks a day for men, and an average of no more than one standard drink a day for women.