4 simple tips to drink less alcohol and slash your risk of 5 types of cancer
GIVING up alcohol for January is a common New Year’s resolution that comes with a host of benefits.
From saving money to avoiding killer hangovers, Dry January can be appealing after the festivities of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Dr Vasilis Vasilou, of Yale Cancer Center, told Medical News Today: “The benefits of participating in Dry January lie in breaking the habit of drinking, particularly for heavy drinkers.
“Long-term reduction may result in a decreased risk not only for cancer but also for the development of other alcohol-related diseases.”
Dr Suneel Kamath, of Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute, recommended four tips for sticking to your dry January goals.
Firstly, he said you should avoid keeping alcohol in the house.
He also recommended doing Dry January with a friend, to avoid feeling isolated if you’re the only one not drinking when out with a group.
Thirdly, Dr Kamath recommended opting for mocktails or alcohol-free beer or wine instead of your usual drink of choice.
And fourthly, he said January is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby that does not revolve around booze.
But he warned you should not use the New Year’s resolution as an opportunity to binge on other vices like sugar, junk food or smoking while giving up alcohol.
Dr Kamath said: “Don’t. This should be a positive step in the right direction.”
Research has shown cutting out or reducing alcohol can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and liver disease.
And a new study shows it could help reduce your risk of up to five types of cancer.
Stopping or limiting booze slashes the chances of developing mouth or oesophageal cancer, researchers found.
There is “limited evidence” that it can also decrease the risks of laryngeal, bowel and breast cancers as well, they said.
Study author Dr Susan Gapstur, of the Winship Cancer Institute, said: “Alcohol reduction or cessation decreases the risk of oral cancer and esophageal cancer.
Long-term reduction may result in a decreased risk not only for cancer but also for the development of other alcohol-related diseases
Dr Vasilis Vasilou
“The review also revealed scientific gaps on some or all alcohol-related cancers, including the duration of cessation necessary to observe a reduced risk.
“Addressing these gaps would further support alcohol-control measures to reduce consumption.”
Previous research has suggested alcohol can increase the risk of cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and breast.
In total, around 81,000 Brits are diagnosed with the diseases every year.
The latest study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at how cutting back on booze can reduce the risk.
Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer looked at data from 91 studies.
They found “sufficient” evidence that reducing or cutting back on booze cut the risk of oral cavity or oesophageal cancers.
There was “inadequate” evidence it helped reduce the risk of pharyngeal or liver cancer, researchers said.
What are four ways to reduce your alcohol intake this January?
According to Dr Suneel Kamath, of Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute, there are four tips for cutting out booze this year:
- Don’t keep alcohol in the house
- Do Dry January with a friend
- Drink mocktails or alcohol free beer or wine instead
- Pick up a hobby that does not revolve around booze