KQED's Forum: Study Links Alcohol to Cancer Deaths

A new study finds that even moderate alcohol consumption can increase the risk of cancer-related death. KQED's Forum hears from one of the study's authors, who says alcohol is responsible for 20,000 cancer deaths every year. But the study is not without controversy. Some researchers say alcohol may have certain health benefits, and that it's risky to advocate total abstinence. Forum looks at the mechanism by which alcohol may increase cancer death. Should you give up booze altogether?

Host:

Guests:

Christina Clarke, research scientist at the Cancer Prevention Institute of California (CPIC)
Curt Ellison, Scientific Co-Director, International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research
Thomas Greenfield, center director and scientific director for the Alcohol Research Group at the Public Health Institute, and one of study's authors

More info:

Study from American Journal of Public Health
Drinking Causes 3.5% of Cancer Deaths : Public Health Institute