Ignorance over alcohol-cancer link

Some 86 per cent of more than 2,000 people surveyed said they did not know that alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.

More than a third (34 per cent) had never been asked how much they drink by health professionals, 66 per cent did not know of the 
link between alcohol and bowel cancer and 59 per cent did not 
realise it can increase the risk of stroke.

Meanwhile, 58 per cent of people did not know of the link between alcohol and mouth or throat cancer, although 59 per cent knew it was associated with depression and 58 per cent knew it had an effect on fertility.

The poll was carried out by the charity Alcohol Concern to launch its Dry January campaign. Director of campaigns Emily Robinson said: “It’s all too easy to slip into unhealthy habits and find that you’re drinking alcohol at a level which can put you at risk for a range of illnesses such as cancer and stroke.”