{"id":3974,"date":"2026-01-27T14:11:44","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T14:11:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/27\/a-few-nightly-drinks-could-boost-risk-of-bowel-cancer\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T14:11:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T14:11:45","slug":"a-few-nightly-drinks-could-boost-risk-of-bowel-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/27\/a-few-nightly-drinks-could-boost-risk-of-bowel-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"A few nightly drinks could boost risk of bowel cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"

2026-01-27 14:11:44<\/b>
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Having just a couple of alcoholic drinks each night could sharply raise the risk of bowel cancer.

\nA major US study tracking adults for two decades found that people who regularly drank the equivalent of two drinks a night faced a significantly higher risk of developing colorectal cancer – with the danger especially pronounced for cancers of the rectum.

\nResearchers analysed health data from more than 88,092 US adults enrolled in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer (PLCO) Screening Trial, all of whom were cancer-free at the start.

\nOver an average follow-up of 20 years, 1,679 cases of colorectal cancer were identified.

\nDrinking habits were categorised as light, moderate or heavy.

\nIn the US, this means up to seven drinks a week for women and 14 for men – similar to UK advice of no more than 14 units a week.

\nThe results were stark. Those consuming 14 or more drinks weekly had a 25 per cent higher risk of colorectal cancer overall, and a 95 per cent higher risk of rectal cancer, compared with light drinkers.

\nBy contrast, people who drank no more than one drink a week showed no increased risk.

\nEncouragingly, the study also found no elevated cancer risk among former drinkers – suggesting that cutting back or quitting altogether may reduce harm.

\nDr. Erikka Loftfield, an epidemiologist at the US National Cancer Institute and a study co-author, said: “Our study is one of the first to explore how drinking alcohol over the life course relates to colorectal cancer risk.

\n“Cumulative exposure over the life course – and not only drinking status in older age – may be an important risk factor for cancer.”

\nScientists believe alcohol increases cancer risk through several biological pathways.

\nThe researchers explained: “Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, an established carcinogen, which causes DNA mutation and oxidative stress in the colon and rectum.”

\nAlcohol also interferes with folate absorption and disrupts the gut microbiome, both of which can contribute to abnormal cell growth.

\nBowel cancer remains one of the most common cancers in the UK, with around 44,100 new cases and 17,400 deaths each year.

\nRisk factors include heavy drinking, smoking, obesity and diets high in processed meat – with experts estimating that more than half of cases are preventable.

\nThe authors concluded that further research is needed, but added that reducing alcohol intake across adulthood could play a key role in cutting bowel cancer risk.
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