Daijiworld Media Network – Sydney

Sydney, Apr 25: Even low to moderate alcohol consumption may carry greater cancer risks than previously understood, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Sydney.

Published in the British Journal of Cancer, the study found alcohol consumption is responsible for more cancers in Australia than earlier estimates suggested.

Researchers analysed drinking patterns among more than 225,000 participants in the 45 & Up Study cohort in New South Wales, Australia’s largest ongoing study of health and ageing.

The study found that for every 10 drinks consumed per week, the risk of developing cancer increased by 19 percent.

Lead author Dr Peter Sarich from the Cancer Elimination Collaboration at the School of Public Health said the study estimates around 4.6 percent of all cancers in Australia are caused by alcohol consumption, higher than previous estimates ranging between 2.8 and 4.1 percent.

Researchers estimated that more than 7,800 cancer cases in Australia in 2024 were linked to alcohol use.

The study also found alcohol consumption was associated with a 27 percent rise in upper aerodigestive tract cancers, a 16 percent increase in colorectal cancer, a 46 percent rise in liver cancer, and an 18 percent increase in breast cancer.

The researchers assessed drinking patterns against Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines, which recommend no more than 10 drinks a week and no more than four drinks on any one day.

According to the study, if all Australians adhered to those guidelines, more than 3,700 alcohol-related cancer cases each year could potentially be prevented.

However, researchers cautioned that even low levels of alcohol intake increase cancer risk over time and that fewer drinks reduce the likelihood of alcohol-related cancers.

The findings have also contributed to the development of a new Cancer Institute NSW alcohol and cancer risk tool aimed at increasing awareness and helping people make informed choices.