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Alcohol Related Diseases
In Europe alcohol is the 3rd leading risk factor for disease and death.
Alcohol is a cause of some 60 different types of disease and condition, including:
- cancers
- liver disease
- cardiovascular diseases
- gastrointestinal conditions
- immunological disorders
- lung diseases
- skeletal and muscular diseases
- reproductive disorders
- pre- natal harm, including and increased risk of prematurity and low birth
Both the amount of lifetime alcohol use and frequency of drinking and amount drunk per incident increase the risk of alcohol related harm, largely in a dose dependent manner.
Alcohol is neurotoxic to brain development. leading to structural changes in the hippocampus in young age and reduces brain capabilities.
Alcohol is a intoxicant affecting a wide range of structures and processes in the central nervous system; the process of dependence occurs through its reinforcing properties and neuroadaptation
Eurocare Press Releases
Alcohol and Cancer- the forgotten link
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Europe, nearly around 2.5 million EU citizens are diagnosed with cancer yearly. As many as 30% of cancers can be prevented if we make the healthier choices.
Eurocare strongly supports World Cancer Day
Eurocare (European Alcohol Policy Alliance) strongly supports the World Cancer Day and hopes that combined efforts of all stakeholders will lead to significant reduction in cancer cases.
Landmark EU report shows the full burden of alcohol in Europe
Each year alcohol kills 115.000 people in Europe and costs 125 billion euros to EU society. This is equivalent to 1.3% GDP.
Brussels, 1 June 2006:A 400 page report analysing the health, social and economic impact of alcohol in Europe, has been released today by the European Commission, setting out the scientific evidence that will inform the Commission's first-ever strategy on alcohol due out later this year.
Publications and Resources
Alcohol and Cancer website
It is a product of collaboration between ECL and Eurocare and which aims to inform European populations about the link between the two.
10% of cancers in men and 3% in women can be attributed to drinking alcohol. First conclusive links between alcohol and cancer were established back in 1987 yet 25 years later only 36% of EU citizens are sure of this link. The 2010 Eurobarometer report found that 1 in 5 European citizens do not believe that there is a connection between alcohol and cancer and 1 in 10 do not know about the link.
European Association for the Study of the Liver
Excessive alcohol consumption is the cause of severe liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis, fatty liver and cancer.
Alcohol consumption and the risk of morbidity and mortality for different stroke types - a systematic review and meta-analysis
Patra et al. BMC Public Health 2010, 10:258
The relation between different dimensions of alcohol consumption and burden of disease: an overview
Rehm J, et al, Addiction 105:817-843, 2010
The cardioprotective association of average alcohol consumption and ischaemic heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Roerecke M, Rehm J, Addiction, 107:1246-1260, 2012
News
www.alcoholandcancer.eu - new website on alcohol and cancer
This website is a product of collaboration between ECL and Eurocare and which aims to inform European populations about the link between the two.
Alcohol and cancer the forgotten link
4th of February marked the World Cancer Day, this disease is the leading cause of death in several European countries. Alcohol increases the risk of getting cancer
NCDs high on the agenda in the European Parliament
Alcohol is one of the top four risk causes and need to be acknowledged and get the needed attention
New research on breast cancer and moderate alcohol consumption
Low or moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer by 15%