Effects of alcohol consumption in general, and wine in particular, on the risk of cancer development: a review

Abstract

Since 1988, alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, the highest level of risk, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In fact, alcohol consumption is the third leading risk factor for disease and mortality in Europe. It accounts for 4.65 % of the global burden of both injury and disease, making it one of the most preventable causes of injury and death. Tissues in closest contact with alcohol when it is ingested, such as those of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus and larynx, have at greater risk of becoming cancerous than other body tissues. The consumption of alcohol is also associated with an increased risk of stomach, colon, rectum, liver, female breast and ovarian cancers. Conversely, recent studies suggest that red wine components inhibit colony formation of human breast cancer and esophageal carcinoma cells, suggesting that wine-derived phenolic compounds may be inhibitory, in contrast to the alcohol component of wine. Because of a lack of systematic studies dealing with the different types of cancer and alcoholic beverages and wine in particular, in this narrative review we summarize the general risk of cancer linked to the consumption of alcoholic beverages, including wine, according to type of cancer, with 140 extracted relevant references from 1966 to 2020. Mostly epidemiological studies concerning large cohorts have been selected. For the cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract, liver, colorectum, breast cancer, pancreatic, prostate, an excessive consumption and/or misuse of alcoholic beverages is correlated with increased risk. Conversely a probable decreased risk has been found for renal/kidney cancers, as well as for Non-Hodgkin lymphomas, such as thyroid lymphomas, associated with the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages. There is no evidence of ovarian, gastric, head and neck, and lung cancer being linked to the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages. Cancer is a multifactorial disease, and many factors contribute to effects on health status, usually being both genetic and environmental. Habits (smoking, dietary/lifestyle pattern/ habits, physical activity), should also be taken into account when defining appropriate consumption frequencies for different types of alcoholic drink (wine, beer, spirits). Further research is needed related to wine consumption in the context of a healthy dietary and lifestyle pattern given health-promoting constituents of wine and its effects on cancer incidence.

Research trends in the oenological and viticulture sectors

“…In our opinion, there is an excessive scientific emphasis on the presence of potentially healthy compounds in wine (or in its by‐products or waste products) which distracts the attention of the consumer from the real danger of alcohol consumption, especially among young people. At low doses alcohol consumption may exert beneficial effects to some population groups in relation to cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus (Pavlidou et al 2018, Minzer et al 2020, Teissedre et al 2020). There is, however, a positive dose–response relationship between any alcohol consumption and cancer at certain sites, with no apparent lower threshold (Kunzmann et al 2018).…”

The role of diet in renal cell carcinoma incidence: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies

“…We did not include systematic reviews without meta-analyses, which may lead to bias. This may limit the generalizability of our results if the systematic reviews without meta-analysis or non-SRoMAs contain issues that were not included in the umbrella review [ 90 , 93 , 104 – 106 , 110 , 125 , 134 , 180 ]. In addition, from the search date to the publication of the results of this study, new SRoMAs showing an association of some dietary factors with RCC may have been published online.…”

The influence of genetic and environmental factors on the incidence of prostate cancer in men

“…[17] Alkohol Nadmierne spożywanie alkoholu jako czynnik ryzyka rozwoju nowotworów jest przez społeczeństwo lekceważony. [30] Co istotne, zgodnie z badaniami przeprowadzonymi w 2002 roku przez Ezzati i współpracowników oraz w 2009 roku przez Rehm i współpracowników spożycie alkoholu odpowiada za 4,65% światowego obciążenia urazami oraz chorobami. [30] Zgodnie z raportem przedstawionym przez Światową Organizację Zdrowia oszacowano, iż spożycie alkoholu było w 2016 roku przyczyną około 3 milionów zgonów na świecie, z czego niemal 13% związanych było z nowotworami złośliwymi.…”

“…[30] Co istotne, zgodnie z badaniami przeprowadzonymi w 2002 roku przez Ezzati i współpracowników oraz w 2009 roku przez Rehm i współpracowników spożycie alkoholu odpowiada za 4,65% światowego obciążenia urazami oraz chorobami. [30] Zgodnie z raportem przedstawionym przez Światową Organizację Zdrowia oszacowano, iż spożycie alkoholu było w 2016 roku przyczyną około 3 milionów zgonów na świecie, z czego niemal 13% związanych było z nowotworami złośliwymi. [31] Umiarkowane spożycie jakiegokolwiek alkoholu ściśle wiąże się ze zwiększonym ryzykiem występowania wielu różnych nowotworów u obu płci, w tym nowotworu górnego odcinka przewodu pokarmowego, wątroby, jelita grubego, piersi oraz trzustki.…”