A global study found that heavy alcohol consumption could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Investigators analyzed data from nearly 2.5 million patients across 4 continents, making it one of the most comprehensive efforts to examine this association to date.
Compared with those who drank very little (0.1 to < 0.5 g/day), the participants who consumed 30 g to 60 g of alcohol per day had a 12% higher risk of pancreatic cancer. The risk increased by 32% among those consuming more than 60 g daily. Each 10-g increase in daily alcohol intake was linked to a 3% rise in risk.
Participants were drawn from 30 prospective cohorts in North America, Europe, East Asia, and Australia. None of them had cancer at baseline. Over a median follow-up of 16 years, 10,067 new cases of pancreatic cancer were identified.
Sex-specific thresholds were observed. Women showed increased risk at 15 g per day, and men at 30 g or more. Risk also varied by alcohol type: beer and liquor were associated with higher risk, whereas wine wasn't. The association wasn't observed in East Asian populations.
To ensure consistency, only cohorts that measured alcohol intake in grams of ethanol per day and documented at least 50 pancreatic cancer cases were included. While smoking was adjusted for, the analysis could not account for chronic pancreatitis, a known risk factor linked to alcohol use.
The investigators also noted challenges in accurately capturing alcohol exposure. Individuals reporting very low or no intake may include former heavy drinkers, which can distort comparisons. For example, men who consumed less than 0.1 g per day had a higher risk compared with those in the reference group.
Sociodemographic factors may contribute to differences in risk. Beer drinkers in some populations were more likely to have lower socioeconomic status and unhealthier lifestyles, while wine drinkers tended to have healthier habits. These confounding variables were difficult to fully control in large observational studies.
Despite the limitations, the use of harmonized, individual-level data across diverse populations strengthened the evidence linking heavy alcohol use to pancreatic cancer. The large scale and geographic scope of the study enhanced the reliability of its findings.
The investigators suggested incorporating alcohol intake into broader risk assessments that included genetic and lifestyle factors. Future studies may further clarify how alcohol type, amount, and drinking patterns contributed to pancreatic cancer development.
Source: PLOS Medicine