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Moderate Drinking and Cancer Risk in Women

With the exception of breast cancer, little is known about the risk of cancer associated with the moderate amounts of alcohol typically consumed by women. Allen et al. (p. 296 ) used questionnaires to estimate consumption of wine, beer, and spirits in women in the United Kingdom enrolled in the Million Women Study. They ascertained cancer incidence based on registers of that country's National Health Service. Increased risks of cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, larynx, esophagus, rectum, liver, and breast were associated with increasing alcohol consumption, and trends were similar in exclusive drinkers of wine and drinkers who also consumed other alcoholic beverages. The authors estimated that, among women in developed countries, for every additional drink consumed per day, there is an excess cancer incidence of approximately 15 per 1,000 women.

In an accompanying editorial, Lauer and Sorlie (p. 282 ) discuss these findings in the context of reported associations of alcohol consumption with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. They cite the need for further analysis of the data provided by the Million Women Study to provide additional information on the association of alcohol consumption with cardiovascular outcomes and mortality.