Alcohol plays a central role in many European countries, including Denmark.
At the same time, cancer prevention is receiving growing attention, particularly as more people are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a relatively young age.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, alcohol is already known to be a risk factor for several types of cancer.
Nevertheless, much of the existing research is based on short measurement periods. Often, participants’ alcohol consumption is assessed only for the most recent year.
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This provides a limited picture of habits that may have extended over decades.
For this reason, researchers have called for studies that examine the entire adult lifespan rather than momentary snapshots.
A long look back
According to a new study published in Cancer, U.S. researchers analyzed data from the large PLCO Cancer Screening Trial.
The study included adults aged 55 to 74 who reported their alcohol consumption dating back to the age of 18.
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The information was divided into several age periods and compared with both screening results and subsequent cancer diagnoses.
The researchers adjusted for factors such as smoking, BMI, and genetic risk, according to the study.
Former drinkers were analyzed separately to avoid biased comparisons, the researchers note.
Cancer risk
High alcohol consumption throughout adult life was associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
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People with an average intake of at least 14 standard drinks per week had about a 25 percent higher risk, while the risk of rectal cancer was nearly twice as high.
At the same time, individuals who had stopped drinking showed a lower risk of early precancerous lesions.
The researchers emphasize that no definitive conclusions about causation can be drawn, but point out that lifelong habits appear to matter more than previously assumed.
Sources: News-Medical, International Agency for Research on Cancer, and Cancer.
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