WHO: Drinking more alcohol increases the risk of pancreatic cancer

Drinking more alcohol could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. A new study, led by researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and carried out by the WHO center in Lyon, has revealed a small but significant association between alcohol consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer, regardless of gender and smoking. According to the data, each increase of 10 grams per day in alcohol consumption was associated with a 3% increase in the risk of pancreatic cancer.

New evidence of increased risk for those who drink

"Alcohol consumption is a known carcinogen, but until now, evidence of its specific link to pancreatic cancer has been inconclusive," says Pietro Ferrari , head of the Nutrition and Metabolism Branch at IARC and an author of the study. "Our findings provide new evidence that pancreatic cancer may be another type of cancer associated with alcohol consumption, a link that has been overlooked until now."

Data on more than two million people in 4 continents

The analysis pooled data from 30 population-based cohorts across four continents (Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America). The cohorts included nearly 2.5 million participants without cancer at baseline, recruited between 1980 and 2013 at a mean age of 57 years. Over a median follow-up of 16 years, more than 10,000 cases of pancreatic cancer were recorded. In women, compared with alcohol consumption of 0.1 to 5 g/day (low consumption), drinking 15 to 30 g/day was associated with a 12% increased risk of pancreatic cancer. In men, compared with alcohol consumption of 0.1 to 5 g/day, drinking 30 to 60 g/day was associated with a 15% increased risk of pancreatic cancer, and drinking more than 60 g/day was associated with a 36% increased risk.

Pancreatic cancer is the twelfth most common cancer in the world, associated with a high mortality rate if diagnosed in advanced stages. In 2022, it accounted for 5% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide.