Alcohol and Cancer

Recent articles written in The Independent, The Guardian and the journal Addiction have reported on the latest press release from World Cancer Research Fund International.  The analysis of worldwide research shows strong evidence that drinking alcohol increases the risk of at least 6 cancers including, bowel, breast, mouth, pharynx, oesophageal, liver and stomach.

Our bodies convert alcohol into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde.  It causes cancer by damaging DNA and then stopping our cells from repairing this damage.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified acetaldehyde formed as a result of drinking alcohol carcinogenic along with alcohol itself. 

According to Cancer Research UK there is no "safe" limit for alcohol, but the risk is smaller for those who drink within the government guidelines.