- Published on Friday, 15 February 2013 13:16 New study finds
that even low levels of alcohol consumption -- just 1.5 drinks
per day -- is a major factor in cancer deaths, causing years of
life lost to illness. A study team that includes a BU medical
and public health researcher has shown that alcohol is a major
contributor to cancer deaths and years of potential life lost.
The findings, published online in the American Journal of Public
Health, also show that reducing alcohol consumption is an
important cancer-prevention strategy, as alcohol is a known
carcinogen even when consumed in small quantities. "The
relationship between alcohol and cancer is strong, but is not
widely appreciated by the public and remains underemphasized
even by physicians," said the paper's senior author, Dr. Timothy
Naimi, associate professor of medicine and public health.
"Alcohol is a big preventable cancer risk factor that has been
hiding in plain sight." Previous studies have shown that alcohol
consumption is a significant risk