European health experts: Alcohol causes cancer

European Health experts are calling for immediate action as alcoholic beverages are group 1 carcinogenic; the cancer they impact on are cancer of oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, and breast, the European Policy Alcohol Alliance, Eurocare, said in its monthy newsletter published today. It noted that health experts from across Europe who met in Dublin at a conference to mark the European Week against Cancer end of May said that 10 of cancers in men and 3% in women can be attributed to drinking alcohol. Europe is the world's heaviest drinking region, with some European countries ranking around 2.5 times above the global average. The newsletter quoted Professor Anderson from Newcastle University , saying that "on average, European consumers drink 30g of alcohol a day which is 600 times the recommended exposure level set by the European Food Safety Authority for cancer causing agents in food and drinks". On his part, Dr Peter Rice, Chair of the Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems said: "Some of the most worrying trends in alcohol related harm are on the long term health of middle aged and older people, including increased rates of alcohol related cancers". Mariann Skar, Eurocare Secretary General, commented: "We would like to call on all actors, public and private, to inform consumers about the link between alcohol and cancer through ingredient listing and health warning labels. We all have the right to know not only what is in our drinks but also what side effects they cause to our health". The Brussels-based Eurocare is a network of some 50 non governmental organisations working on the prevention and reduction of alcohol related harm across 20 countries in Europe.