A meta-analysis of alcohol drinking and cancer risk

12 Nov 2001V Bagnardi, M Blangiardo, C La Vecchia and G Corrao

Strong trends in risk were observed for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, oesophagus and larynx. Less strong direct relations were observed for cancers of the stomach, colon and rectum, liver, breast and ovary. For all these diseases, significant increased risks were found also for ethanol intake of 25 g per day. No significant nor consistent relation was observed for cancers of the pancreas, lung, prostate or bladder.

Meta Analysis
15 effects
34 years
117000 subjects

Reported Outcomes

DeterminantsOutcomeDetails

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Ovary cancer Reproductive outcome
Increased risk of Ovary cancer
Reproductive system

High evidence
53.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Minor Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Lung cancer Respiratory outcome
Minor increase risk of Lung cancer
Respiratory system

Low evidence
4.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Minor Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Stomach cancer (Gastric cancer) Digestive outcome
Minor increase risk of Stomach cancer (Gastr...
Digestive system

Moderate evidence
32.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Gallbladder cancer Digestive outcome
Increased risk of Gallbladder cancer
Digestive system

High evidence
36.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Liver Cancer Digestive outcome
Increased risk of Liver Cancer
Digestive system

High evidence
86.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Colorectal Cancer Digestive outcome
Increased risk of Colorectal Cancer
Digestive system

High evidence
38.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Strong Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Oesophagus cancer Digestive outcome
Strong increased risk of Oesophagus cancer
Digestive system

High evidence
423.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Strong Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Oral cavity and pharynx cancer Digestive outcome
Strong increased risk of Oral cavity and phary...
Digestive system

High evidence
601.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Minor Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Pancreatic cancer Digestive outcome
Minor increase risk of Pancreatic cancer
Digestive system

High evidence
18.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Strong Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Larynx cancer Respiratory outcome
Strong increased risk of Larynx cancer
Respiratory system

High evidence
295.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Strong Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Breast Cancer Reproductive outcome
Strong increased risk of Breast Cancer
Reproductive system

High evidence
171.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Minor Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Uterine Cancer Reproductive outcome
Minor increase risk of Uterine Cancer
Reproductive system

High evidence
20.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Minor Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Prostate Cancer Reproductive outcome
Minor increase risk of Prostate Cancer
Reproductive system

High evidence
19.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Minor Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Bladder cancer Urinary outcome
Minor increase risk of Bladder cancer
Urinary system

High evidence
17.0%

Alcohol Beverage risk & protective factor
Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Cancer Lymphatic outcome
Increased risk of Cancer
Lymphatic system

High evidence
91.0%