New Delhi:
A study has indicated that drinking more than two alcoholic drinks a day can significantly increase the risk of some cancers.
NHS guidelines state that men should drink not more than three to four units a day, while women should not go over two to three units a day. But research has found cancer risks at even lower levels.
"Our data show that many cancer cases could have been avoided if alcohol consumption is limited to two alcoholic drinks per day in men and one alcoholic drink per day in women, which are the recommendations of many health organisations," said the authors.
"And even more cancer cases would be prevented if people reduced their alcohol intake to below recommended guidelines or stopped drinking alcohol at all," they added. Cancers of the pharynx, oesophagus and voice box were most commonly caused by alcohol, followed by the liver. The study has been published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
A study has indicated that drinking more than two alcoholic drinks a day can significantly increase the risk of some cancers.
NHS guidelines state that men should drink not more than three to four units a day, while women should not go over two to three units a day. But research has found cancer risks at even lower levels.
"Our data show that many cancer cases could have been avoided if alcohol consumption is limited to two alcoholic drinks per day in men and one alcoholic drink per day in women, which are the recommendations of many health organisations," said the authors.
"And even more cancer cases would be prevented if people reduced their alcohol intake to below recommended guidelines or stopped drinking alcohol at all," they added. Cancers of the pharynx, oesophagus and voice box were most commonly caused by alcohol, followed by the liver. The study has been published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).