Doctors call for warnings on 'proven link between alcohol and cancer' to be displayed on alcoholic drinks

Breast cancer surgeon Dr Isabel Rubio said: 'The link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer is scientifically undeniable. Yet awareness of this fact remains low across Europe.' 

Health warnings on alcoholic drinks around the “proven link between alcohol and cancer” are needed, more than 20 health groups across Europe have said. 

The groups warned “alcohol is a known carcinogen and decades of robust science clearly link consumption to at least seven types of cancer, including breast cancer".

The newly-formed European Health Alliance on Alcohol said some 239,530 deaths are estimated as being caused by alcohol consumption annually in Europe. 

October marks breast cancer awareness month, and the alliance is speaking out to highlight especially the links between this type of cancer and alcohol.

Breast cancer surgeon Dr Isabel Rubio said: “The link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer is scientifically undeniable. Yet awareness of this fact remains low across Europe.” 

She sees the impact of breast cancer every day on women and their families. “I know that many of these cases could have been prevented,” she said.

Dr Rubio, also president-elect of the European Cancer Organisation, called for coordinated action across the EU, saying alcohol-related cancer prevention should be integrated into public health and policies.

She added: “Every step we take now to reduce alcohol-related cancer risks will save lives in the years to come.” 

The campaign is also supported by the Association of European Cancer Leagues. Alba Gill, its policy officer, said: “Alcohol increases breast cancer risk, even in small amounts.” 

She called on EU countries, including Ireland and the European Commission, to “dispel the dangerous myth that only heavy drinkers are affected”.

Earlier this month, the Irish Government’s plans to introduce labelling were described as a "fiasco" by Dr Sheila Gilheany of Alcohol Action Ireland. 

"Ireland has previously developed successful strategies to reduce cancer risk from smoking. There is much from those strategies that can be applied to addressing the harms from alcohol," she said.