Alcohol ‘strongly’ linked to stomach cancer

Source: The Spirits Business

by Annie Hayes

21st April, 2016

There is “strong evidence” that consuming three or more alcoholic drinks per day “significantly increases” the risk of stomach cancer, according to a new report by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

New research reveals just three alcoholic drinks per day “significantly increases” the risk of stomach cancer

As part of the Continuous Update Project (CUP), an ongoing analysis of global research on how diet, nutrition, physical activity and weight affect cancer risk and survival, the WCRF found drinking 45 grams of alcohol per day – equivalent to approximately three drinks – “significantly increases” the risk of stomach cancer.

According to new research, the risk is most significant in men, as well as smokers and ex-smokers.

The report reviewed evidence from 89 studies from around the world, which examined around 17.5 million adults and nearly 77,000 cases of stomach cancer.

The research was gathered and analysed by a research team at Imperial College London, and then independently assessed by a panel of leading international scientists in a report titled Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Stomach Cancer.

Findings also confirmed that eating 50g per day of processed meat, for example two rashers of bacon, increases the risk by 18%, while being overweight or obese is also a significant cause; the more a person weighs in relation to height, the higher the risk.

The report also found some evidence that eating citrus fruit could decrease the risk of stomach cancer.