There is "strong evidence" that alcohol causes seven cancers, and other evidence indicates that it "probably" causes more, according to a new literature review published online July 21 in Addiction.
Epidemiologic evidence supports a causal association of alcohol consumption and cancers of the oropharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and female breast, says Jennie Connor, MB, ChB, MPH, from the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, in Dunegin, New Zealand.
In short, alcohol causes cancer.
This is not news, says Dr Connor. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and other agencies have long identified alcohol consumption as being causally associated with these seven cancers.
So why did Dr Connor, who is an epidemiologist and physician, write a new review? Because she wants to "clarify the strength of the evidence" in an "accessible way."
There is "confusion" about the statement, "Alcohol causes cancer," explains Dr Connor.
Public and scientific discussion about alcohol and cancer has muted the truth about causality, she suggests.
"In the public and the media, statements made by the world's experts are often given the same weight as messages from alcohol companies and their scientists. Overall messages become unclear. For these reasons, the journal
