Alcohol consumption is the third leading risk factor for disease and mortality in Europe. As evaluated by
the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs, a causal relationship is established
for consumption of alcoholic beverages and cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver,
colorectum and female breast, even at low and moderate alcohol intakes. The higher the amount of
alcohol consumed, the higher the risk of developing cancer. In Europe, an estimated 10% (95% CI: 7%–13%)
of all cancer cases in men and 3% (95% CI: 1%–5%) of all cancer cases in women are attributable to alcohol
consumption. Several biological mechanisms explain the carcinogenicity of alcohol; among them,
ethanol and its genotoxic metabolite, acetaldehyde, play a major role. Taking all this evidence into
account, a recommendation of the 4th edition of European Code against Cancer is: “ If you drink alcohol
of any type, limit your intake. Not drinking alcohol is better for cancer prevention.”