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upper aerodigestive cancer risk and alcohol
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Upper aerodigestive tract cancers (combined) - cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, larynx, and oesophagus separately
oral cavity and pharynx
- consumption of alcoholic beverages is causally associated with risk of cancers
of the oral cavity and pharynx (combined). Increasing alcohol consumption
increases risk in a dose-dependent manner. Statistically significant increased
risks were observed at low, medium and high levels of alcohol intake
- consumption of alcoholic beverages is causally associated with the risk
of cancer of the oral cavity. Statistically significant increased risks were
consistently observed at high alcohol intakes (>50 g ethanol/day), but findings
were more variable at medium and low intakes
- consumption of alcoholic beverages is causally associated with the risk of cancer of the pharynx. Statistically significant increased risks were consistently observed at high alcohol intakes (>50 g ethanol/day), but findings were more variable at medium and low intakes.
laryngeal cancer
- consumption of alcoholic beverages is causally associated with risk of laryngeal
cancer
- statistically significant increased risks were consistently observed at medium and high (>12.5 g ethanol/day) but not low alcohol intakes.
Oesophageal cancer
- consumption of alcoholic beverages is causally associated with risk of squamous
cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oesophagus. Increasing alcohol consumption 14
increases risk in a dose-dependent manner. Statistically significant increased
risks were observed at low, medium and high alcohol intakes
- consumption of alcoholic beverages is not associated with adenocarcinoma (AC) of the oesophagus
Notes:
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Typical alcohol content in grammes and UK units of different alcoholic beverages
Typical Alcohol by Volume (ABV) (%) Typical volume of a drink (mL) Ethanol content (g) UK units of alcohol Beer 4.5 568 (pint) 20 2.5 Wine 13 175 (glass) 18 2.3 Spirits 40 20 (single) 8 1 UK 1 unit of alcohol = 8g ethanol
In describing levels of alcohol consumption, the terms 'low', 'medium' and 'high' were used to represent intakes averaging approximately <12.5 g ethanol/day (< approximately 1.5 units/day), 12.5-50 g ethanol/day (approximately 1.5-6 units/day), and >50 g ethanol/day (> approximately 6 UK units/day), respectively.
Reference:
- Public Health England (2015). Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) Statement 2015/S2 - Statement on consumption of alcoholic beverages and risk of cancer.
Last reviewed 01/2018
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