Alcohol and Cancer
Alcohol consumption is a leading contributor to chronic disease, and now more specifically a leading risk factor for several types of cancer. The most recent and comprehensive research available has established alcohol as an influential risk factor for cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, colorectum (in men), and breast. The evidence also supports alcoholic drinks as probable causes of liver cancer, as well as colorectal cancer in women.
Although this research has taken the potential benefits of alcohol consumption (i.e. on coronary heart disease) into account, the evidence does not show a clear level of consumption below which there is no increased risk of cancer. Additionally, it is important to note that it is the amount of alcohol consumed, not necessarily the type of alcoholic drink (i.e. beer, wine or spirits), that affects cancer risk.
Recommendations for cancer prevention
Recommendations for cancer prevention include limiting consumption of alcohol to no more than 1 drink a day for women, and no more than 2 drinks a day for men . Low-risk drinking guidelines set out by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health recommend no more than two drinks per day, with no more than 9 drinks per week for women and no more than 14 per week for men. As a reference point, the following drinks all have the same amount of alcohol, and count as one drink each: 1 beer, 5 ounces of wine, 1 wine cooler, 1 ½ ounces of liquor, liqueur, or brandy.
Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure
There is substantial evidence that exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Artificial tanning equipment is also a source of cancer causing rays. Yet Ontario adults continue to spend too much unprotected time in the sun, and the use of tanning equipment remains popular among young adults in Ontario.
In 2006 a Cancer Care Ontario researcher was awarded a two-year grant from the Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute of Canada to conduct a survey on Canadians’ sun behaviours. Results from this survey were published in June 2008, and will help us develop strategies to prevent skin cancer.
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