Research results have emerged indicating that even light drinking increases the risk of colorectal cancer. It was also noted that to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, one must abstain from alcohol for at least 14 years.
A research team led by Professor Heo Jin-hee from Sungkyunkwan University analyzed the effects of drinking patterns, types of alcohol, latency periods, and abstinence on the occurrence of colorectal cancer in a comprehensive study conducted in collaboration with Harvard University. The results were published on Dec. 17 in the international academic journal "Journal of the National Cancer Institute."
This study tracked the time until a diagnosis of colorectal cancer among 137,710 participants from the American Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Among the study participants, there were a total of 3,599 cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed over the past 30 years.
The researchers analyzed whether participants who developed colorectal cancer consumed alcohol, revealing that even light drinking had an impact on colorectal cancer, particularly among men.
Compared to men who did not drink alcohol at all, those who consumed one drink (5-14.9g) or two drinks (15-29.9g) a day had significantly higher risks of developing colorectal cancer, with risk ratios of 1.19 and 1.38, respectively. Women, on the other hand, did not experience a significantly increased risk compared to men.
Professor Heo Jin-hee noted, "It is well-known that excessive drinking is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer, but this study is significant in scientifically proving that even light drinking may not be safe."
In particular, the time lag between alcohol consumption and the occurrence of colorectal cancer was found to be approximately 8 to 12 years. It indicates that individuals who previously drank did not experience a significant reduction in colorectal cancer risk even 10 years after abstaining from alcohol.
Professor Heo stated, "We clearly confirmed that the risks of drinking on long-term health, as well as the time it takes to see improvement from abstaining or reducing alcohol intake, are significant. Maintaining long-term abstinence or moderation is essential for colorectal cancer prevention and health promotion."
Reference materials
Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2024), DOI : https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djae330