WELLINGTON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A study that has compiled the evidence of alcohol causing cancer from a New Zealand perspective highlights the need for action to make it less popular.
The research article, published on Thursday by the Royal Society, New Zealand's science funding advisory body, shows how several different types of cancer can result from even moderate drinking, and the inequities in alcohol-related cancer risks.
It highlights World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations to make booze less affordable, restrict its availability, and limit alcohol marketing.
According to Health New Zealand's assessment of the health burden caused by alcohol consumption published in August, 42 percent of the 901 deaths attributable to alcohol were from cancer.
"Alcohol causes cancer through several mechanisms," said University of Otago Emeritus Professor Jennie Conn, adding that alcohol and its breakdown products can cause mutations. It can also aid other carcinogens accessing the cells, and can disrupt hormones.
In addition, alcohol can increase the chance of metastasis, the spreading of cancer to other parts of the body, Conn said.
According to the article, drinking alcohol causes cancer of the mouth and throat, breast cancer, liver cancer and bowel cancer in particular.
New Zealanders are big drinkers, four out of five adults in this country drink, but awareness about alcohol causing cancer is low, it said. ■
