Limit alcohol

Alcohol and cancer risk

A large body of evidence consistently shows that consumption of alcoholic drinks is a risk factor for cancer. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat (larynx and pharynx), oesophagus, bowel (colon and rectum), liver and female breast.

It is not just heavy drinking that increases cancer risk. Even drinking small amounts of alcohol increases the risk of these cancers, but the more you drink, the greater the risk.

Despite some evidence that drinking regular, small amounts of alcohol (e.g. red wine) may reduce heart disease in older adults, there is no evidence that alcohol helps protect you from any type of cancer.

Your risk of cancer is the same for all types of alcohol including beer, wine and spirits.

How much should I drink?

To reduce the risk of cancer, you should limit your intake of alcohol or better still avoid it all together.

For people who do drink alcohol, the Cancer Council recommends:

• No more than 2 standard drinks a day for men
• No more than 1 standard drink a day for women

We also recommend that people who drink avoid binge drinking (a single occasion of heavy drinking over a short period of time) and have at least one or two alcohol-free days every week.

Tips for drinking less

If you do choose to drink:

• Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones like sparkling or plain water (soda, lime and bitters is a great alternative to alcohol).
• Eat some food when you drink alcohol. Think of a glass of wine or beer as something to have with a meal rather than just a drink on its own.
• Dilute alcoholic drinks, for example, try a shandy (beer and lemonade) or white wine and mineral water.
• Choose a low-alcohol (or no-alcohol) beer and/or wine.
• Use water to quench your thirst and sip alcoholic drinks slowly.
• Offer to be the designated driver when you go out so that you drink less, but make sure you stay under .05.