UVic-led study finds alcohol may increase risk of deadly pancreatic cancer

A new study led by researchers at the University of Victoria is adding to growing evidence that alcohol consumption may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer.

The research, led by UVic’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR), analyzed data from dozens of long-term studies involving more than 20 million people and found a clear link between alcohol consumption and pancreatic cancer risk.

Researchers found the connection particularly impacted those who regularly consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat, with only about 12% of Canadians surviving five years after diagnosis.

The report examined studies that followed people over time and accounted for factors such as age, smoking habits and socioeconomic status.

A major focus of the research was addressing what scientists call “former drinker bias.” 

This occurs when people who previously drank alcohol but later quit are grouped together with people who rarely or never drank.

According to lead author Dr. Jinhui Zhao, this can distort study results because former drinkers may still experience long-term health effects linked to past alcohol use.

After accounting for that bias, researchers found that pancreatic cancer risk increased as alcohol consumption increased.

The study found that consuming more than 24 grams of alcohol per day, which is just under two standard Canadian drinks, was associated with a 10% to 30% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Researchers also found the risk continued to rise with higher levels of alcohol consumption.

“After rigorously analyzing the existing evidence, we strongly believe it’s time to add pancreatic cancer to the list of alcohol-related cancers,” said Dr. Tim Naimi, CISUR director and co-author of the study.

The World Health Organization currently recognizes alcohol as a cause of seven types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, liver, mouth and throat cancers. Researchers behind the new study say pancreatic cancer should now be added to that list.

The findings are based on a review of 37 cohort studies involving more than 20.7 million participants and more than 65,000 pancreatic cancer cases, making it one of the largest analyses of its kind.

While the researchers say more work is needed, they believe the evidence linking alcohol consumption and pancreatic cancer is now strong enough for the disease to be officially recognized as alcohol-related.

The full study, Alcohol Consumption and the Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies, was recently published in the International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research.