Press release - Immediate Release
May 19, 2020
As the months-long epidemic situation of COVID-19 in Hong Kong has been stabilised, people are ready to sweep away the gloom and meet up with their friends. Social gatherings involving drinking might, however, expose you and your friends to three types of health risks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol use reduces the ability to cope with infectious diseases. Moreover, alcohol increases cancer risk: it has been classified as Group 1 carcinogen by the WHO, and it also contributes to central obesity, which further heightens the risk of developing cancer. A survey conducted by the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society ("HKACS") showed that nearly half of respondents are unaware that a beer belly (central obesity) can increase the risk of cancer. HKACS urges Hongkongers to avoid alcohol and follow health recommendations to prevent cancer.
Alcohol, or ethanol, is found in alcoholic beverages such as beer, red/white wine, champagne, spirits, etc. According to the Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016, it was found that globally, among the population aged 15-49 years, 3.8% of female deaths and 12.2% of male deaths were attributed to alcohol use.
Recently, the COVID-19 epidemic situation in Hong Kong has been stabilised. After months of social distancing and upholding various precautionary measures, Hongkongers finally can take a break and even meet up with their friends. However, if drinking is involved, you and your friends may be exposed to 3 risks!
Alcohol rub is proven effective to kill viruses yet the WHO clarified "in no way will consumption of alcohol protect you from COVID-19 or prevent you from being infected by it. Alcohol use, especially heavy use, weakens the immune system and thus, reduces the ability to cope with infectious diseases. Therefore, people should minimize their alcohol consumption at any time, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen since 1988 by The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of WHO. All types of alcohol drinks, even those with low alcohol content such as beer, can increase cancer risk.
The calories in alcoholic drinks not only are fattening, but also lead to central obesity (i.e.. Asian men's waist> 90 cm while Asian women's waist> 80 cm) which increases the risk of cancer. A person with central obesity still faces a high risk for cancer even if his/her BMI is normal - which explains why it is important to prevent central obesity.
HKACS conducted a survey on drinking habit among Hongkongers from 14 November to 20 December last year. The survey of 521 people found that 66% of the respondents had consumed alcohol in the previous three months. Among the drinkers, the majority (54%) had consumed beer; and the average alcohol consumption was 1.27 cans per week. According to the survey data, it is estimated that the respondents who drink would consume an average of 18,142 calories per year from various types of alcohol, which is equivalent to a 5.18 pounds weight gain per year.
Of all respondents, 45% had a bulging belly (commonly known as "beer belly", i.e. central obesity) and 70% of those with a bulging belly were drinkers. However, the survey found that Hongkongers' awareness of the link between beer belly (central obesity) and cancer risk is still generally low.
"The general public is more aware of the impact of beer belly (central obesity) on appearance (87%) and the increased risk of heart disease (63%) and diabetes (76%). However, the public is significantly less aware that beer belly (central obesity) can raise the risk of cancer (51%)," Dr. LIU King-yin, Rico, Chairman of the Cancer Education Committee of HKACS, said.
The finding of the HKACS survey is in line with the results of a study called "European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam Study". The overseas study of 20,625 participants found that, over an 8.5-year follow-up period, drinking only 1 to <250 ml of beer per day could cause 5.4cm increase in waist circumference for male - the higher the beer consumption, the larger the waist circumference.
Beer belly (central obesity) is associated with many types of cancer. A study of 43,419 participants published in the British Journal of Cancer found that, over a follow-up period of 12 years on average, each standard deviation increment of waist circumference would result in 21% increase in risk for colorectal cancer. Another study found that postmenopausal women, despite having a normal BMI, would be at increased risk for developing ER-positive breast cancer, as every 5kg increase in trunk fat would increase the risk by 56%.
Dr. Liu emphasized that there is no 'safe' level of alcohol consumption when it comes to carcinogenic risk. Drinkers should quit drinking for good while non-drinkers should not pick up the habit.
Dr. Liu quoted the suggestions by the World Cancer Research Fund recommended Hongkongers to follow the 10 health recommendations which would help prevent cancer
"In the past 6 months, COVID-19 is the leading health concern around the globe. While the outbreak is stabilising, we shall adapt a healthy lifestyle and prevent cancer".
