Two alcoholic drinks increases pancreatic cancer risk by 22%

According to researchers at Georgetown University in Washington DC, consuming 30 or more grams of alcohol a day, the equivalent of two drinks, can significantly increase the risk of developing the disease.

One drink was defined as 12 fluid ounces of beer, four fluid ounces of wine, or 1.5 fluid ounces of spirits.

The study, which was one of the largest carried out to examine dietary factors influencing pancreatic cancer, analysed data from 14 studies that looked at food and drink consumption of more than 860,000 men and women.

A total of 2,187 people in the studies were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Dr Jeanine Genkinger, from the university, said: 'Our findings support multiple nutrition recommendations that men should limit intake to no more than two alcoholic beverages per day and women should limit intake to no more than one.'

Previous studies had already suggested the link between alcohol consumption and the risk of the cancer, but the new research reported in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, shows drinking is associated with pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, and diabetes. Both are risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

• Related article: One alcoholic drink 'increases cancer risk'

• Need to keep ahead of nursing news and clinical developments? Let us help. Get a comprehensive round-up delivered free to your inbox every day. Simply click here, log in and select 'Daily news alert'

Have your say

You must sign in to make a comment.