Alcohol and cancer – Dr James Crosbie
“It might come as a shock but alcohol is a class one carcinogen, like tobacco and asbestos, and a well-established cause of cancer.”
4 out of 10 people in the North East are drinking enough alcohol to significantly raise their risk of cancer, yet just 1 in 3 of us is aware of the link.
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of at least 7 different types of cancer. This includes breast and bowel cancer (two of the most common types), mouth cancer. some types of throat cancer: oesophagus (food pipe), larynx (voice box), and pharynx (upper throat), and liver cancer.
Watch as he goes on to explain the benefits of cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink. See our Top 10 Tips on cutting down and download the free Try Dry app available on iOS or Android to help you track your progress.
Dr James Crosbie a GP and consultant gastroenterologist with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“It might come as a shock but alcohol is a class one carcinogen, like tobacco and asbestos, and a well-established cause of cancer, including some very common cancers of the breast and bowel, mouth, throat and liver.
We know that the more you drink, the greater the risk. However, you don’t have to be a heavy drinker – even just one drink a day can increase the risk of some types of cancer.
It doesn’t matter what type of alcohol you drink – it is alcohol itself that causes the damage, whether wine beer or spirits. And unlike age, gender and family history, alcohol is one risk factor that we can change, control and do something positive about.”
Unsure of how much you are drinking and whether these levels are safe? Find out how your drinking adds up in units.
