Alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). A study examined how lifetime alcohol intake—from age 18 onward—relates to colorectal adenoma and cancer risk among 154,887 adults aged 55–74 years with no prior history of colorectal, prostate, lung, or ovarian cancer. Over 20 years of follow-up, current drinkers averaging 14 or more drinks per week over their lifetime had a higher risk of CRC (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25), particularly rectal cancer (HR, 1.95), compared with those consuming one drink or less per week.
Individuals with a consistent pattern of heavy drinking also had an increased CRC risk (HR, 1.91) versus light drinkers. In contrast, former drinkers had lower odds of nonadvanced colorectal adenomas (odds ratio, 0.58) compared with current light drinkers. Notably, current drinkers averaging 7 to <14 drinks per week had a lower risk of CRC (HR, 0.79),…
