The Cancer Society of New Zealand has welcomed the release of a new publication Ka Hua Mai Te Mate Pukupuku I Te Inu Waipiro – Alcohol Causes Cancer by the Royal Society Te Apārangi.
The factsheet provides evidence-based information about how alcohol causes cancer, with the aim of informing choices about drinking for both people and communities.
Cancer Society’s Evidence and Insights Lead Emma Shields says while the link between drinking alcohol and cancer has been known about for a long time, Cancer Society’s own research shows that public awareness of the link remains low.
“Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer including common types like breast and bowel, and hard to treat types like oesophageal cancer. It doesn’t matter what type of alcohol it is, and the more we drink the higher our risk.
“Although we have known about this link for a long time, it remains relatively unknown around New Zealand. This new Royal Society factsheet is a good reminder of the harm alcohol causes and what action we need to take to reduce that.”
Ms Shields says she hopes as well as raising more public awareness, the factsheet from the Royal Society might lead to renewed calls for Government action to introduce policies that will reduce alcohol-related harm.
“We need to put people’s health before profits and introduce higher standards for how the alcohol industry markets and sells its products, such as limiting alcohol advertising and sports sponsorship.”
