Heavy Drinking Linked to Higher Risk of Colorectal Cancer

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Source: MedPage Today

Original: https://www.medpagetoday.com/oncology/coloncancer/119593...

Published: Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:49:50 -0500

Heavy alcohol drinking is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer, particularly rectal cancer, according to data from the PLCO prospective screening.[1] Alcohol intake greater than 30 grams of ethyl alcohol per day is considered a risky dose and is associated with a slightly relative increase in the risk of developing colorectal cancer.[1] Alcoholic beverages are classified as group 1 carcinogens, which means they are proven human carcinogens.[2] The risk is higher in beer and hard alcohol consumers compared to wine consumers.[4] The mechanism of damage is that alcohol consumption leads to the formation of the toxic substance acetaldehyde, which damages DNA and can cause cellular changes leading to cancer.[3] According to epidemiological studies, there is strong evidence of a causal relationship between alcohol consumption and colon cancer in men and a probable causal relationship in women.[2] Alcohol is one of the main modifiable risk factors for colorectal cancer, which can be avoided with the right lifestyle.