Northern Ireland

Alcohol causes 'seven of every 100 new breast cancer cases in Europe', WHO warns

Alcohol causes seven of every 100 new breast cancer cases in Europe, the World Health Organisation has said
Alcohol causes seven of every 100 new breast cancer cases in Europe, the World Health Organisation has said Alcohol causes seven of every 100 new breast cancer cases in Europe, the World Health Organisation has said

ALCOHOL consumption causes seven of every 100 new breast cancer cases in Europe every year, the World Health Organisation has said.

Across Europe, 1,579 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day.

According to estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in 2020 alcohol consumption was responsible for almost 40,000 new breast cancer cases in Europe.

Breast cancer has become the most common cancer globally.

Of around two million new cases in 2020, around 100,000 were attributable to alcohol consumption.

"Many people, including women, are not aware that breast cancer is the most common cancer caused by alcohol among women globally," Dr Marilys Corbex from WHO said.

"People need to know that by reducing alcohol consumption they can reduce their risk of getting cancer. It doesn't matter what type, quality or price alcohol is."

Alcohol has been linked to seven types of cancer, including mouth, throat and liver cancers.

WHO warned that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

The body wants countries across Europe to reduce alcohol consumption by introducing measures including regulating the hours alcohol can be bought and putting health warnings on alcoholic drinks.

Dr Carina Ferreira Borges from WHO said alcohol causes harm.

"Simply put, alcohol is toxic," she said.

"It harms every organ while it passes through the body.

"So, it makes perfect sense to limit the amount of consumed alcohol, to find ways to replace alcohol with other beverages, and to adopt nation-wide policies that help to reduce alcohol consumption."