Lifelong Alcohol Use Tied to Colorectal Cancer Risk in Major Study

A 20-year study of nearly 90,000 Americans reveals a stark correlation between lifelong alcohol consumption patterns and colorectal cancer risk, with former drinkers showing potential for risk reduction.

The National Cancer Institute's Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial tracked 88,092 participants over two decades, identifying 1,679 colorectal cancer cases.

Researchers found that current drinkers consuming ≥14 drinks per week faced a 25% higher risk of colorectal cancer and a 95% higher risk of rectal cancer compared to those drinking fewer than one drink weekly. Individuals who maintained heavy drinking throughout adulthood had a 91% higher colorectal cancer risk than those who consistently drank lightly.

Former drinkers demonstrated no elevated colorectal cancer risk and lower odds of adenomas relative to current drinkers. Dr. Erikka Loftfield said:

"Our study is one of the first to explore how drinking alcohol over the life course relates to both colorectal adenoma and colorectal cancer risk. While the data on former drinkers were sparse, we were encouraged to see that their risk may return to that of the light drinkers."

The study acknowledges limitations in its sparse data on former drinkers and emphasizes the observed associations do not prove causation.

Proposed biological mechanisms include carcinogens from alcohol metabolism and effects on gut microbiota. These findings are preliminary and not yet ready for clinical application.

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