Booze cancer risk

Too few Kiwis knowalcohol can cause cancers, including breast cancer, health experts say. While many knowtobacco causes lung cancer, scores are unaware that alcohol is a group 1 carcinogen – alongside asbestos and gamma radiation. Even if consumed in small amounts, it increases the risk of several types of cancer, the Cancer Society says. It is launching a new campaign on alcohol and cancer risk this week. At least seven cancers – mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, bowel, liver and breast cancer (Aotearoa’s thirdmost common cancer) – have been linked to alcohol. The Cancer Society surveyed more than 800 people about their awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer. More than a third believed ‘‘small regular use’’ of alcohol was ‘‘safe’’ in terms of cancer risk.