Alcohol Consumption and Breast Cancer Awareness in Europe
Alarming Lack of Awareness about Alcohol and Breast Cancer
Just one in five women in Europe are aware that alcohol is a risk factor for developing breast cancer, according to a warning issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday. This lack of awareness poses a major health concern in the region for women. The United Nations health agency released a statement highlighting that only 21 percent of women across 14 European countries surveyed had knowledge of the link between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing breast cancer. Shockingly, even men had a lesser awareness level, with only 10 percent knowing about this connection.
Extent of Alcohol-Related Breast Cancer Cases
Across 53 countries in WHO Europe, along with Central Asia, nearly 600,000 cases of breast cancer were reported in the year 2022. While the exact numbers of alcohol-related breast cancer cases were not provided by the WHO, the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s 2020 data revealed that out of 575,917 new breast cancer cases, around 7 percent, equivalent to 39,248 cases, were attributable to alcohol consumption.
Alcohol’s Role as a Preventable Risk Factor
Emphasizing the criticality of alcohol as a preventable risk factor for breast cancer, the WHO emphasizes that 66 percent of all cases of alcohol-attributable cancers in Europe are breast cancer cases. Alcohol consumption affects estrogen levels, which play a significant role in the development and progression of various breast cancers. The agency warns that even low levels of alcohol consumption can contribute to the risk of developing breast cancer. Surprisingly, more than half of the breast cancer cases linked to alcohol consumption in Europe are not caused by heavy drinking. Drinking the equivalent of up to two small glasses of wine per day accounts for about one third of new cases every year.
Urgent Need for Policy Changes
The WHO calls for the implementation of new national policies to address drinking habits in Europe, considering that per capita alcohol consumption in the region has scarcely changed since 2010. Similar to the clear warnings placed on tobacco products, the WHO urges countries to provide explicit warnings on alcohol products to raise awareness about associated cancer risks. Hans Kluge, the organization’s director for Europe, points out that Europe has the highest levels of alcohol consumption in the world, causing one in every ten alcohol-related deaths. Reducing alcohol consumption is an essential step toward mitigating adverse effects on health.
Breast Cancer Worldwide
Breast cancer is the second-most detected cancer globally, with 2.3 million cases reported in 2022, as per the WHO’s findings. Early awareness and education regarding the risk factors, including alcohol consumption, are of critical importance in tackling the prevalence of breast cancer cases internationally.
Participating Countries in the European Study
The European study covered data from 14 countries, including Austria, Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Note: This news article is not an endorsement by our website, but rather an effort to share important insights from the World Health Organization.
