New cancer cases in France in 2015 attributable to different levels of alcohol consumption

Abstract

Alcohol consumption in France appears to cause almost 8% of new cancer cases, with light and moderate drinking contributing appreciably to this burden. A 10% drop in drinking in France would have prevented more than 2000 (estimated) new cancer cases in 2015.

A 22‐Year Follow‐Up (Range 16 to 23) of Original Subjects with Baseline Alcohol Use Disorders from the Collaborative Study on Genetics of Alcoholism

“…The greater difference between these 2 groups in COGA versus more white‐collar individuals in the Gonçalves and colleagues () study could reflect moderation of the course of Problem Drinking by higher levels of education and socioeconomic factors in the earlier study (Bucholz et al., ; McCutcheon et al., ). Even though the outcome and baseline problems were not as severe for High‐Risk Drinking participants, it is important to remember high alcohol consumption still carries a greater risk for alcohol‐related health problems (Breslow et al., ; Grant et al., ; Moore et al., ; Praud et al., ; Shield et al., ).…”

“…Although alcohol consumption and problems usually decrease as drinkers grow older (Knott et al., ), this trend has been less obvious in the recent decade where the proportion of individuals age 65 and older who drank increased by 20% and there was a 2‐fold increase in AUDs (Grant et al., ). Older drinkers carry additional risks because they develop higher blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) per drink, have greater brain sensitivity to alcohol's effects, and display enhanced risks for alcohol‐related medical problems and accidents (Bjork et al., ; Breslow et al., ; Grant et al., ; Moore et al., ; Schuckit and Smith, ; Shield et al., ; Vestal et al., ).…”

“…On the other hand, adverse outcomes include exceeding Low‐Risk Drinking limits in the absence of multiple alcohol problems (High‐Risk Drinking), and drinking associated with multiple problems (Problem Drinking). Both of these adverse outcomes are likely to be associated with potentially serious health problems and early death (Holahan et al., ; Kendler et al., ; Moore et al., ; Shield et al., ).…”

The risk of cancer attributable to diagnostic medical radiation: Estimation for France in 2015

“…For instance, the number of 2300 cases attributable to diagnostic medical IR is relatively small compared to tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption-related to 69,000 and 28,000 new cancer cases in 2015, respectively. 40,41 IR ranks 10th out of the 15 major studied causes of cancer. 9,10 Indeed, with respect to exposure to other types of IR, radon caused approximately 4000 lung cancer cases and 3000 deaths.…”

“…When interpreting our study's results from the viewpoint of public health impact importance, one should also consider comparing the results with other cancer risk factors. For instance, the number of 2300 cases attributable to diagnostic medical IR is relatively small compared to tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption—related to 69,000 and 28,000 new cancer cases in 2015, respectively . IR ranks 10th out of the 15 major studied causes of cancer .…”