Alcohol quantity and frequency linked to higher mortality with some cancers

January 01, 0001

Alcohol quantity and frequency linked to higher mortality with some cancers

Prospective associations between quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption and cancer-specific mortality were studied by researchers from the US using a nationally representative sample with pooled data from the 1988, 1990, 1991, and 1997-2004 administrations of the National Health Interview Survey (n = 323,354). By 2006, 8,362 participants had died of cancer.

Among current alcohol drinkers, for all-site cancer mortality, higher-quantity drinking (greater than or equal to 3 drinks on drinking days vs. 1 drink on drinking days) was associated with increased risk among men (relative risk {RR} = 1.24); higher-frequency drinking (greater than or equal to 3 days/week vs. less than 1 day/week) was associated with increased risk among women (RR = 1.32). Lung cancer mortality results were similar, but among never smokers, results were null. For colorectal cancer mortality, higher-quantity drinking was associated with increased risk among women (RR = 1.93). Higher-frequency drinking was associated with increased risk of prostate cancer (RR = 1.55) and tended to be associated with increased risk of breast cancer (RR = 1.44).

The researchers concluded: "Epidemiologic studies of alcohol and cancer mortality should consider the independent effects of quantity and frequency."

These are very worrying trends.


For the full abstract, click here.

American Journal of Epidemiology published online 30 September 2011 © 2011  Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Prospective Study of Alcohol Consumption Quantity and Frequency and Cancer-Specific Mortality in the US Population. Rosalind A. Breslow, Chiung M. Chen, Barry I. Graubard and Kenneth J. Mukamal. Correspondence to Rosalind Breslow: Rosalind Breslow rbreslow@mail.nih.gov

Category: A. General/Unspecified. Keywords: alcohol drinking, cohort studies, diet, food habits, mortality, neoplasms, risk factors, prospective associations, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 4 November 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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