Two big glasses of wine a day triples cancer risk
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REGULARLY drinking two large glasses of wine or two strong pints of beer a day triples the risk of developing mouth cancer, research has shown.
The findings came as it emerged that cancer was responsible for almost half of all deaths in Ireland last year.
Health experts recommend that men should not regularly drink more than three to four units a day, while women should not regularly drink more than two to three per day.
And drinkers are being advised to cut down by having alcohol-free days, not drinking at home before going out, swapping to low or alcohol-free drinks and using smaller glasses in a bid to cut the risks.
The survey of more than 2,000 drinkers in Britain found that 85pc did not realise that drinking more than the recommended limits increased the risk of developing breast cancer.
About 65pc were unaware it increased the risk of bowel cancer, 63pc did not know about a raised risk of pancreatitis and 59pc did not realise excess drinking increased the risk of mouth, throat and neck cancer.
A total of 30pc did not realise that drinking just over the limits increased the risk of high blood pressure and 37pc did not realise it could have an effect on fertility.
Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: "An estimated 10 million Brits drink more than the recommended limits for alcohol, which puts one in five at increased risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and weight gain.
Meanwhile, an analysis of almost 2,000 payouts on life insurance cover in Ireland during 2011 shows that 44pc were caused by cancers. Two-thirds of all claims for serious illness during the same period were also for cancer, said Irish Life. Breast cancer was the most prevalent, followed by prostate and colon cancers.
The figures follow a warning over the weekend by the World Cancer Research Fund that new cases of cancer in Ireland could rocket by 72pc by 2030.
The Irish Life study also revealed almost a fifth (18pc) of its death claims were linked to heart disease, the next largest single factor after cancer.
Accidents accounted for 11pc, with four in 10 of those involving people under the age of 40.
- Jane Kirby and Brian Hutton
Irish Independent
