Alcohol linked to bowel cancer, says study

Tue Jul 31, 10:01 AM ET
Drinking wine or beer every day increases the risk of bowel cancer, according to a new study reported Tuesday.
The report, published by the International Journal of Cancer, says that drinking two large glasses of wine or two pints a day increases the risk of this disease by around quarter compared with non-drinkers.
One glass of wine or a pint of beer a day raises the risk by 10 percent.
"The research shows quite clearly that the more alcohol you drink the greater your risk of bowel cancer," said Professor Tim Key, an expert with Cancer Research UK told the Daily Telegraph.
The study was based on questioning of 478,000 people in 10 European countries over six years, of whom over 1,800 developed bowel cancer, which is the third most common form of the disease after lung and breast cancer.
Each year 35,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and it kills 16,100 a year, the British newspaper reported.
The findings will raise question marks for those following widespread scientific advice that regular but modest consumption of red wine can help protect against heart attacks.
"The increase in risk is not large but it is important that people understand they can reduce their risk of a number of different cancers - including bowel cancer - by cutting down on alcohol," said Key.