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Does low-dose alcohol increase cancer risk?
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Today, we constantly hear calls for a healthy lifestyle from TV screens. There are many programs about the harm of alcohol abuse, especially for the cardiovascular system. However, the conversation often revolves around strong drinks. Surely, many agree with this. But for some reason, we do not even think about the fact that alcohol in small doses can cause the same harm to the body.
Most studies show that drinking alcohol, especially heavy drinking, increases the risk of developing cancer. However, scientists have found a link between cancer and even small amounts of alcohol.
A meta-analysis published in the journal Annals of Oncology shows that regular consumption of even low-alcohol drinks increases the risk of developing cancer.
The authors of the study concluded that seemingly harmless amounts of alcohol can cause oral cancer, esophageal cancer, and breast cancer in women. However, the experts did not find any threat of rectal, laryngeal, or liver cancer from small doses of alcohol.
However, the results of the scientists' research, which were made on the basis of several studies in this area, caused some confusion among observers.
They questioned the validity of the experts' conclusions because they included both alcohol drinkers and non-drinkers in the control group. The reviewers also noted that there was no data on long-term alcohol consumption at various levels, and the study's geography was not adjusted, and other factors that increase the risk of cancer, such as smoking and lifestyle, were not excluded.
The discontent of forum members did not subside even after the experts pointed out the limitations of their data.
They explain this by the fact that the researchers did not even bother to describe the consequences of drinking small doses of alcohol on the cardiovascular system and the much more common diseases caused by alcohol consumption.
People who questioned the results of the scientists' research believe that this information can only be used for further research into this problem or simply for general information. However, experts have too little information to draw such loud conclusions and recommendations for the public.
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