Three drinks a day can cause liver cancer

JUST three drinks a day can be enough to cause liver cancer, according to an extensive review of global research.

The increase in risk per 10g of alcohol consumed – around one alcoholic drink – is about 4 per cent, says the World Cancer Research Fund.

As a result three or more drinks pose a significant cancer risk, it adds.

The review also found a strong association between obesity and liver cancer, as well as evidence that drinking coffee can protect against the disease. The WCRF’s continuous update project reviewed global research into the relationship between diet, weight and physical activity, and liver cancer.

In all, 34 studies were analysed covering 8.2million people of whom more than 24,500 had liver cancer.

Previous research by the project has shown alcohol to be strongly linked with a range of cancers, including liver. The WCRF recommends that women should try to limit their alcohol intake to one drink per day and men to two.

Amanda McLean, director of WCRF UK, said: ‘Around three or more drinks per day can be enough to cause liver cancer.

‘Until now we were uncertain about the amount of alcohol likely to lead to liver cancer. But the research reviewed in this report is strong enough to be more specific.’

In 2012, there were 4,703 cases of liver cancer in the UK. The report estimates that nearly a quarter of cases could be prevented if people kept a healthy weight and did not drink. Although the research found strong evidence that drinking coffee can reduce the risk of the disease, the report did not recommend the amount that should be drunk.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, medical adviser for alcohol education charity Drinkaware, said: ‘To help reduce the risk of getting alcohol-related liver cancer, it is best to drink within the lower-risk guidelines of 2-3 units a day for women – that’s a 175ml glass of 13 per cent wine – or 3-4 units a day for men, a pint and a half of 4 per cent beer.’