The Contribution of Alcohol Consumption to Overall Cancer Incidence in the West- ern World : A Meta-Analysis

Background: The effect of alcohol consumption on overall cancer incidence is not clear. e aim of the paper is to estimate the impact of alcohol consumption on risk distribution of the 20 most common cancer types among men and women in the Western world.

Methods: A meta-analysis of relative risks for the 20 most common cancer types potentially associated with alcohol consumption in the Western world was conducted based on the most recent cancer speci c meta-analyses. Cancer risks were compared between men and women applying a sigmoidal dose response model.

Results: Drinking 2.5-14.9 g alcohol/day was associated with a small decrease in overall cancer incidence: 0.977 for men and 0.974 for women; followed by a small increase in the 15-29.9 g/day category: 1.029 for men and 1.077 for women. Further increases were observed in the 30-60 g/day category indicating a 5 and 10% increase in overall cancer risk for men and women, respectively. Women appeared to be more sensitive: the alcohol consumption level to acquire overall risk increase is 22 g/day for women and 46 g/day for men.

Conclusion: Moderate alcohol consumption (up to 15 g/day) is not associated with the incidence of the 20 most common cancer types in the Western world in contrast to higher consumption.