Cancer Prevention - Alcohol - Limit Yourself
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of many cancers. Drinking 2 or more drinks per day, increases your risk of mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophageal, liver and breast cancers, especially if you smoke heavily. Heavy drinking also can cause cirrhosis of the liver.
There is also evidence linking alcohol consumption to colon and rectal cancer, especially in men. There is also some evidence linking alcohol consumption to stomach cancer. In all these cancers, the risk increases with the amount of alcohol you drink.
What you can do:
- If you don’t drink, don’t start.
- If you drink alcohol, limit the amount you drink to 1 - 2 drinks each day. No more than 9 drinks per week for women and 14 per week for men.
- Drink slowly; wait at least one hour between drinks; take alcohol with food.
Related Resources
Canadian Cancer Society - Tips to Cut Down on Alcohol
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Low Risk Drinking Guidelines
