*New findings from the American Cancer Society suggest that sustained heavy alcohol consumption across adulthood could substantially increase colorectal cancer risk. The research analyzed nearly two decades of health data to explore connections between long-term drinking patterns and cancer development, FOX News reports.
The study tracked 88,092 participants and investigated how prolonged alcohol use affects colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps, medically termed colorectal adenomas. Researchers collected information about participants’ beer, wine, and liquor intake across four life stages, starting from ages 18 to 24 and continuing into older years. Heavy consumption was defined as exceeding 14 drinks weekly, with moderate intake falling between seven and 14 drinks per week.
Findings revealed that people who drank heavily throughout their lives faced markedly elevated cancer risk. Rectal cancer showed the strongest correlation, with lifetime heavy drinkers experiencing a 25% increase in overall colorectal cancer risk and nearly double the risk of rectal cancer specifically.
Compared to light drinkers, those maintaining heavy drinking patterns showed a 91% higher likelihood of developing colorectal cancer. Moderate lifetime drinkers demonstrated lower overall risk than their heavy-drinking counterparts. Among participants, researchers identified 1,679 colorectal cancer diagnoses. People who had quit drinking exhibited a considerably lower chance of developing non-advanced adenomas than those who currently consumed alcohol lightly.
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Study authors noted observational limitations and reliance on self-reported data. They concluded that consistent heavy drinking and higher average lifetime consumption “may increase CRC risk, whereas cessation may lower adenoma risk,” adding that associations “may differ by tumor site.”
Study author Erikka Loftfield, Ph.D., of the National Cancer Institute, said the findings reinforce existing public health guidance. “Current advice on alcohol drinking for the prevention of colorectal and other cancer types is to minimize intake or, ideally, to not drink at all,” she wrote. “Our findings do not change this advice.”
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