Global burden of cancer in 2020 attributable to alcohol consumption

​​​​​​Each year there are 3 million deaths as a result of the harmful use of alcohol.

As alcohol gets broken down, chemicals affect the way our body sends signals and communicates and increase the chances of developing cancer.

In this article, published in Lancet Oncology, the researchers present global, regional, and national estimates of alcohol-attributable cancer burden in 2020.

Findings:

• Globally, an estimated 741 300 of all new cases of cancer in 2020 were attributable to alcohol consumption.
• Males accounted for 568 700 of total alcohol-attributable cancer cases
• Cancers of the oesophagus, liver, and breast contributed the most cases.
• The largest burden of alcohol-attributable cancers was represented by heavy and risky drinking

These results indicate the need for the development of a greater awareness of the link between cancer and alcohol use. Policies and interventions that are designed to educate and inform the public about this particular consequence of alcohol consumption should be further developed and promoted.