Association of the Frequency and Quantity of Alcohol Consumption With Gastrointestinal Cancer

Abstract

Key Points Question Which is the more important factor in the development of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer: frequency of drinking alcohol or quantity of alcohol consumed per occasion? Findings In this cohort study of 11 737 467 participants, the risk of GI cancer was significantly associated with drinking frequency. Compared with similar weekly alcohol consumption levels, the risk of GI cancer increased with a higher frequency of drinking but decreased with larger amounts per occasion. Meaning This study suggests that frequent drinking may be a more important risk factor for incident GI cancers than the amount of alcohol consumed per occasion, and patients should be careful with their drinking habits, including regular consumption of small amounts of alcohol.

Frequent low dose alcohol intake increases gastric cancer risk: the Health Examinees-Gem (HEXA-G) study

“…Although these findings are similar to our results, they provide evidence for cancers other than GC. In terms of drinking patterns, only one study's results are concordant with our findings 29 . This latest Korean research further indicates that the frequency of alcohol intake, rather than quantity, is a more important risk factor for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers including GC 29 .…”

“…In terms of drinking patterns, only one study's results are concordant with our findings 29 . This latest Korean research further indicates that the frequency of alcohol intake, rather than quantity, is a more important risk factor for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers including GC 29 . Nonetheless, further research is warranted to thoroughly explore and evaluate alcohol drinking patterns and GC risk.…”

Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A virulence and its association with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer

“…Based on a meta-analysis describing 22 cohort studies (5,820,431 cases), light or moderate alcohol consumption had no significant effect in the pathogenesis of GC, but heavy alcohol consumption (> 24 g / per day) increased cancer risk independently to gender, country of origin, or physical activity [47]. Similar conclusions have been drawn from other studies regarding the severity of alcohol consumption [48][49][50][51][52][53][54].…”

Association Between Changes in Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk

“…Because enrollment in this co-payment reduction program is indicated by a special co-payment reduction code for cancer (V193) and requires a medical certificate from a physician, the cancer diagnoses included in this study are considered to be sufficiently reliable, and this method has been used in previous studies. 18,19 We considered socioeconomic position, including income level and place of residence (urban or rural), to be a potential covariate. Household income was categorized into quartiles according to insurance premium levels, and those covered by the Medical Aid Program (the poorest 3% of the Korean population) were merged into the lowest income quartile.…”