Sheffield University study reveals 135,000 UK drinkers ‘will die of cancer by 2035’

tunisante November 18, 2016

Excessive drinking will cause 7,100 cancer deaths a year by 2035
Researchers estimate alcohol will cost the NHS £53 billion in next decade
Survey of 2,100 Brits found nine in ten didn’t associate drinking with cancer

Sophie Borland Health Editor For The Daily Mail

Published:
19:50 EST, 17 November 2016

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Updated:
02:40 EST, 18 November 2016

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More than 135,000 Britons will die from cancer caused by alcohol over the next 20 years, researchers claim.

Excessive drinking will cause 7,100 cancer deaths a year by 2035, a rise of 13 per cent on the current rate.

A study by Sheffield University and Cancer Research UK estimates that alcohol will cost the NHS £53 billion over the next decade including £2 billion on cancer.

Excessive drinking will cause 7,100 cancer deaths a year by 2035 researchers at Sheffield University claim. File photo

Although alcohol is known to trigger many types of cancer including breast, throat and bowel, the majority of the public are unaware of the link.

A survey of 2,100 Britons by the researchers earlier this year found nine in ten did not associate drinking with cancer.

The researchers used a computer model to estimate the numbers of alcohol-related cancer deaths, hospital admissions and total costs to NHS over the next 20 years.

They assumed that consumption would remain broadly the same to what they are now with minor fluctuations year on year.

Figures show that a fifth of men and 1 in 10 women have alcohol every day – and many of these are middle-aged and middle class.

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Projections show there will be more hospital admissions and alcohol could cost the NHS £53 billion in the next 10 years. File photo

Experts are particularly worried about this group as they believe cancer may be triggered by moderate drinking over long periods.

The projections show that even if consumption stays as it is, alcohol-related cancer deaths will rise from 6,299 in 2015 to 7,097 in 2034.

Alcohol will lead to 891,299 hospital admissions, up from 802,118 in 2015, and 65,005 will be caused by cancer.

Earlier this year Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies overhauled the alcohol guidelines for the first time in three decades,

She told adults there was no safe level of drinking and urged them to consume no more than 14 units a week.

But campaigners say this guidance isn’t enough and want the Government to impose a minimum price per unit of alcohol.

Alison Cox, the Director of Prevention at Cancer Research UK, said: ‘These new figures reveal the devastating impact alcohol will have over the coming years.

‘That’s why it’s hugely important the public are aware of the link between alcohol and cancer, and what they can do to improve their risk.

‘If we are to change the nation’s drinking habits and try to mitigate the impact alcohol will have then national health campaigns are needed to provide clear information about the health risks of drinking alcohol.’

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said: ‘These latest figures show the serious consequences for individuals, the NHS and society if the UK Government continues to ignore the consequences of the nation’ s drinking.’