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Local Study Links Long-Term Heavy Drinking to Increased Colorectal Cancer Risk
A new study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests that consistently heavy alcohol consumption throughout adulthood may significantly elevate the risk of developing colorectal cancer, particularly rectal cancer. The findings, published in the journal Cancer, highlight the long-term health implications of sustained heavy drinking.
Researchers analyzed two decades of data from over 88,000 U.S. adults to investigate the connection between long-term alcohol intake and the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) or precancerous colorectal adenomas (polyps). Participants provided detailed reports of their average weekly consumption of beer, wine, and liquor across four distinct age periods: 18-24, 25-39, 40-54, and 55 and older.
The study categorized “heavy drinkers” as those consuming more than 14 drinks per week, while “moderate drinkers” had between seven and 14 drinks weekly.
The observational research indicated a clear link between consistent heavy drinking over an adult’s lifetime and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Specifically, heavy lifetime drinking was associated with a 25% higher overall CRC risk and nearly double the risk of rectal cancer.
Compared to light drinkers, individuals who consistently drank heavily faced approximately a 91% higher risk of CRC. Moderate lifetime drinking showed a lower overall CRC risk.
Interestingly, for colorectal adenomas (precancerous polyps), a strong pattern with higher current lifetime drinking was not observed. However, former drinkers showed a significantly lower risk of non-advanced adenoma compared to current light drinkers.
Out of the 88,092 participants, 1,679 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer during the study period.
The authors acknowledged that the research, being observational and relying on self-reported alcohol use, has limitations. However, the findings strongly suggest that consistent heavy alcohol intake and higher average lifetime consumption “may increase CRC risk, whereas cessation may lower adenoma risk.” They also noted that these associations “may differ by tumor site.”
The link between alcohol consumption and various cancers is not a new discovery among health experts. Dr.
Mark Hyman, chief medical officer of Function Health in California, recently discussed on his podcast how even moderate drinking can impact “nearly every organ system in the body.” He attributed this to metabolic stress, inflammation, impaired detoxification, and its effects on hormones, warning that “alcohol taxes every major system in your body, especially your liver, your brain, your gut, your hormones.”
Dr. Pinchieh Chiang, a clinician at Circle Medical in San Francisco, previously emphasized that taking extended breaks from alcohol can “reshape health more profoundly.”
She noted that sustained improvements in blood pressure, liver function, and inflammation are often seen over months to a year, directly impacting the risk of long-term heart disease and stroke. Chiang added that “reducing or eliminating alcohol lowers the risk of several cancers, including breast and colorectal, over time.”