Alarming Alcohol Consumption Pattern witnessed in Cancer Survivors in US: JAMA

Recent research by Mengyao Shi and team shed light on the concerning relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer outcomes among individuals diagnosed with cancer. This study published in the Journal of American Medical Association revealed that alcohol consumption patterns among US cancer survivors, even during treatment, are worryingly underexplored.

The cross-sectional study, which analyzed data from May 2018 to January 2022, included a total of 15,199 participants who reported having been diagnosed with cancer. Among these survivors, a staggering 77.7% (11,815 individuals) were found to be current drinkers. Even more troubling were the statistics surrounding risky drinking behaviors: 13.0% exceeded moderate drinking, 23.8% engaged in binge drinking (consuming six or more drinks on a single occasion), and a shocking 38.3% partook in hazardous drinking.

Age, gender, ethnicity, age at diagnosis, and smoking history were identified as factors influencing these behaviors. Younger survivors under 65 years of age, men, Hispanic individuals, those diagnosed before the age of 18, and former or current smokers were more prone to exceeding moderate drinking and engaging in binge drinking. Moreover, survivors who were diagnosed with cancer before the age of 18 or had a history of smoking were more likely to engage in hazardous drinking.

Even among survivors currently undergoing cancer treatment, the study found significant rates of alcohol consumption. Of the 1,839 survivors receiving treatment, a worrying 76.4% were current drinkers. Among them, 12.1% exceeded moderate drinking, 23.4% reported binge drinking, and 38.4% engaged in hazardous drinking. Notably, these trends persisted across different types of cancer treatment.

Considering the well-documented link between alcohol consumption and adverse oncologic and treatment outcomes, these findings have raised concerns among the medical community. The study emphasizes the need for additional research and implementation strategies to address this emerging concern among cancer survivors.

Source:

Shi, M., Luo, C., Oduyale, O. K., Zong, X., LoConte, N. K., & Cao, Y. (2023). Alcohol Consumption Among Adults With a Cancer Diagnosis in the All of Us Research Program. In JAMA Network Open (Vol. 6, Issue 8, p. e2328328). American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28328