The investigation, led by the Cancer Research Center of the UN World Health Organization, grouped data from almost 2.5 million people in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.
Revealed a “Modest but significant” association between alcohol consumption and the risk of developed pancreatic cancerregardless of sex or smoking status.
“Alcohol consumption is a known carcinogen, but so far, the evidence that specifically links it with pancreatic cancer has not been considered non -conclusive“Said Pietro Ferrari, principal author of the Study of the International Cancer Research Agency and Head of Nutrition and Metabolism Branch of the International Cancer Research Agency (IARC) of the WHO.
The pancreas is a vital organ that produces enzymes for digestion and hormones that regulate blood sugar. Pancreatic cancer is among the most lethal cancers, largely due to late diagnosis.
All drinkers are at risk
The IARC study found that each additional 10 grams of alcohol consumed per day were associated with a 3 percent increase in the risk of pancreatic cancer.
For women who consumed 15 to 30 grams of alcohol per day, approximately one or two drinks, the risk increased by 12 percent compared to light drinkers. Among men, those who drank 30 to 60 grams daily faced a 15 percent higher risk, while men who drank more than 60 grams daily saw a 36 percent higher risk.
“Alcohol is often consumed in combination with tobacco, which has led to questions about whether smoking could confuse the relationship,” said Ferrari.
“However, our analysis showed that The association between the risk of alcohol and pancreas cancer is maintained even for non -smoking, indicating that alcohol itself is an independent risk factor. “
More research is needed, he added, to better understand the impact of alcohol consumption for life, including patterns such as excessive alcohol consumption and early life exposure.
A growing global challenge
Pancreas cancer is the twelfth most common cancer worldwide, but represents 5 percent of cancer -related deaths due to its high mortality rate.
In 2022, incidence and mortality rates were up to five times higher in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, and Eastern Asia than in other regions.
