A recent investigation by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Bordeaux University Hospital in France, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has established that individuals suffering from alcohol dependence who engage in rehabilitation programs or achieve sustained abstinence show a markedly reduced risk of developing cancers linked to alcohol consumption. The findings were published in a new article titled “Alcohol rehabilitation and cancer risk: a nationwide hospital cohort study in France” in the Lancet Public Health journal. This groundbreaking study is considered the most comprehensive to date in demonstrating the correlation between reduced or eliminated alcohol consumption and a decreased likelihood of all alcohol-related cancers, including those of the liver and throat.
The expansive retrospective cohort study scrutinised data from over 24 million French residents, all adults in mainland France, who were hospital-discharged between 2018 and 2021. The analysis revealed that around 6.3 per cent of men and 1.6 per cent of women were diagnosed with alcohol dependence, a condition strongly linked to an increased risk of specific cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma, and cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, and colon in both genders. However, the study also indicated that those who underwent rehabilitation or maintained abstinence were at a significantly lower risk of developing these cancers compared to those who remained dependent on alcohol without undergoing treatment. These findings highlight the crucial role of effective treatment strategies in mitigating cancer risks associated with alcohol dependency.
Dr Jürgen Rehm, a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at CAMH and the study’s senior author, expressed surprise at the significant impact of treatment interventions observed in the study. He noted that while the treatment for alcohol dependency is known to be effective, the recurrent nature of this chronic condition often overshadows the fact that periods of abstinence can substantially reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
Dr. Michaël Schwarzinger, from the Department of Prevention at Bordeaux University Hospital and the lead author of the article, pointed out the general underestimation of alcohol dependence in comparison to other health issues in research and policy priorities. He emphasised that alcohol dependence continues to represent a severe yet primarily overlooked epidemic in France, particularly concerning given the country’s average annual alcohol consumption per adult is more than double the global average.
Dr. Carina Ferreira-Borges, the Regional Adviser for Alcohol, Illicit Drugs, and Prison Health at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, stated that while population-level policies such as increased alcohol taxes, reduced availability, and restricted marketing are effective strategies to curb alcohol-related harms, including cancers, the study underscores the importance of health systems’ responses. Enhancing access to alcohol rehabilitation and abstinence interventions within healthcare settings could significantly bolster national efforts to protect populations from preventable cancers. She advocated for increased investment in rehabilitation and treatment services for alcohol use disorders in France and other countries within the WHO European Region.
Dr. Leslie Buckley, Chief of Addictions at CAMH, underscored the relevance of these findings, especially in light of the rising hospital admissions in Canada for alcohol-attributable conditions, which surpass those for myocardial infarction. He highlighted the barriers to accessing evidence-based treatment, such as stigma and logistical challenges in receiving in-person care. Dr Buckley also pointed to innovative solutions like virtual treatment programs, which CAMH is researching. These programs mimic the intensity of traditional rehabilitation without the need for physical infrastructure, thus reducing wait times and enhancing treatment accessibility. With the anticipated increase in alcohol availability in Ontario, Dr Buckley stressed the importance of such accessible treatment options to manage potential increases in alcohol consumption effectively.
More information: Michaël Schwarzinger et al, Alcohol rehabilitation and cancer risk: a nationwide hospital cohort study in France. DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00107-5
Journal information: Public Health Provided by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
