MEPs against Cancer meet to discuss the link between alcohol and cancer and its policy implications

MEPs, scientists, representatives from cancer leagues in Europe, DG SANCO and NGOs all voiced their support for immediate action to raise awareness about the health risks of alcohol consumption, especially amongst young people, in relation to cancers of the pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, breast and colorectum.

Despite research dating back to 1987 that conclusively indicates the carcinogenicity of all alcoholic beverages, the connection between alcohol and cancer is often not made in consumer's minds. On the contrary, a Eurobarometer report in 2010 found that 1 in 10 European citizens do not know that there is even a connection between alcohol and cancer. The same study also indicated that 1 in 5 citizens do not believe that there is a connection between cancer and the drinks that millions of us enjoy every week.

Dr Robert Baan, from the International Agency for Research on Cancer presented a history of the research into the carcinogenicity of alcohol which identified the first conclusive links between alcohol and cancer in 1987. Volume 44 of the IARC Monographs found there to be ‘sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of alcoholic beverages in humans. The occurrence of malignant tumours of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus and liver is causally related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages.' Since 1987, connections between alcohol intake and cancer of the breast, colorectum and liver have also been identified. Indeed, the 2010 monograph identified a relative increased risk for breast cancer for which ‘regular consumption of even 18 g of alcohol per day the relative risk is significantly increased. ‘ 18g per day is equivalent to just under 2 regular glasses of wine or champagne, 1.3 pints of beer or nearly 6cl of whiskey. Likewise, the monographs confirm an increased relative risk in colorectal cancer for regular drinkers of 50g of alcohol per day. Hence the rationale for the European Code Against Cancer to recommend just one alcoholic drink per day for women, and two for men.

MEPs Alojz Peterle, Liz Lynne, Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, Frieda Brepoels, Pavel Poc, Christel Schaldemose and Nessa Childers expressed support for the underlying the need for greater awareness among the general public about the dangers of immoderate alcohol consumption. Pavel Poc took the opportunity to inform meeting delegates that his Written Declaration on fighting Colorectal Cancer has been endorsed by an overwhelming majority of MEPs. He was fully aware of the important role healthy lifestyle factors such as reduced alcohol consumption played in the prevention of this cancer. MEP Schaldemose was particularly forthrightin calling for preventive action; she urged participants to ask themselves if they really wanted to prevent cancer? If so, then solutions can be found to surmount the challenges in increasing awareness.

Various actions are already being taken in member states such as the UK, Denmark and Portugal, especially by cancer leagues, to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol. Dr Hans Storm, Head of prevention at the Danish Cancer Society shared his experience in trying to change official alcohol recommendations in Denmark. He underlined the need to worktogether using evidence based materials, and to harness political courage to achieve the most effective results. Dr Storm stated that there could be “7% less breast cancers in 2050 with an immediate reduction of female alcohol consumption to 12g/day”. Thus, advocating for the guidelines described by the European Code Against Cancer and the IARC monograph sare the most effective way to reduce alcohol related cancer incidence and mortality.

At the European level, the need for clarity of information was called for by Eurocare in the form of labels on alcoholic beverages that would not only specify the percentage of alcohol contained in the drink, but also the number of calories and health warnings .(view presentation)

In addition, a representative of DG SANCO, Pieter de Coninck, outlined his DG's work on alcohol and cancer in general, and the strategy of the EU Alcohol and Health Policy Forum where labeling for alcohol products is being discussed, and the idea of having uniform units across Europe is being explored. It was generally agreed that further action should be taken at the European level in relation to this important health determinant.

The Association of European Cancer Leagues will explore addressing alcohol and cancer risks during the European Week Against Cancer in May 2011, and in working with Eurocare to encourage Member States through the cancer leagues to call for national initiatives on labelling that could provide impetus for European legislation.

The European Institute for Women's Health also called for targeted action at woman to increase awareness about the risk to breast cancer, as well as iterating the need to focus on young people.

For more information on this and other MAC events, please contact ECL