Huge cancer risk linked to bad habit that thousands of Australians are doing daily
A major, global report revealed the combination of drinking and smoking raises the risk of colorectal cancer in under-50s.
German researchers compiled just over two dozen studies comparing regular drinkers and smokers to teetotalers.
Just 100 cigarettes in a person's lifetime - the equivalent of one per week for two years - was linked to a 59 percent higher risk than people who have never smoked.
Colorectal cancer, or bowel cancer as it is often called, is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
The link between colorectal cancer with drinking and smoking was something Associate Professor Raglan Maddox, who leads ANU's Tobacco Free research group, is aware of.
'I'm not overly surprised to see things like colorectal cancers increasing in people under the age of 50, particularly in Australia,' he said.
'We tend to think that we're fit, healthy, (leaning) into that healthy lifestyle culture that Australia is well known for and stereotyped for.'
But he warned that Australia is seeing more diagnoses in those aged from 20 to 39, often at advanced stages due to overlooked or dismissed symptoms.
'Australia has a fairly socialised, normalised behavior around alcohol consumption. Drinking, smoking and vaping are quite high risk factors,' he said.
'It is something that we're seeing change over time, but it is something that we need to be absolutely aware of.'
Alcohol and smoking have both been linked to colon cancer in the past, as they release chemicals that destroy DNA and cause cancer cells to mutate.
But the new study is one of the first to compare both factors at once in relatively low amounts.
'We know that smoking and alcohol consumption, both independently and in combination, are causal for cancers' Assoc. Prof Maddox said.
'(But we also) know that these substances are also aggressively marketed towards young people, often as part of a nightlife, party-type culture.
'How do we make sure that we look after ourselves and live fruitful, happy lives?'
Assoc. Prof Maddox said there needs to be increased awareness about the addictive nature of smoking and Australians should seeks support from loved ones.
'Overall, the harm is massive. We know that, on average, 66 Australians will pass away every day from smoking,' he said.
'It's this silent epidemic that people don't talk about but we know causes cancer, heart disease, diabetes (and) a whole range of issues.'
When it comes to reducing alcohol consumption, he said people should seek out environments and situations where there is less pressure to drink.
For anyone concerned about colorectal cancer symptoms, those aged 45-49 are eligible for the national screening program.
Younger Aussies are also urged to be vigilant for symptoms including blood in stool, changes to bowel habits and unexplained or unexpected weight loss or tiredness.
'I'd encourage people, if you're not feeling great, making sure that you're conscious of your own health and symptoms is really important,' Assoc. Prof Maddox said.
'Make sure you get regular health checks, make sure that all those sort of things are kept up to date.'
The review, published in the journal Clinical Colorectal Cancer, looked at 12 studies on alcohol consumption and 13 on smoking.
Overall, the team found daily alcohol consumption in general increased the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer 39 percent compared to lower amounts.
On cigarette use, the researchers found a 39 per cent increased risk of colorectal cancer in people who smoked cigarettes regularly compared to non-smokers.
Current smokers were shown to have a 43 percent greater likelihood of developing a rectal tumor than those who never smoked, and colon tumors were linked to a 26 percent increased risk.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
Cambodia reports three new bird flu cases as human H5N1 infections spike
Cambodia has reported three new bird flu cases in as many days, amid a spike in infections among humans in June. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health said a 36-year-old woman in Siem Reap province – a region in the country's northeast, which is home to the Unesco World Heritage site Angkor Wat – is in intensive care after contracting H5N1. The case is the latest in a string of new infections in the last 10 days. On Saturday, the government said that a woman and her 16-year-old son were being treated with the antiviral tamiflu after testing positive for H5N1 in a contact tracing exercise. A week prior, their 41-year-old neighbour was in a critical condition after contracting the disease. The latest case, the 36-year-old, lived in a village less than two miles away from this cluster of three patients. But all four had clear links to sick or dead birds, according to those investigating the incidents. A fifth case, a 52-year-old man, was announced dead at the start of last week in Svay Rieng province – a region some 250 miles away, close to Vietnam. 'Up until now, we do not have signs of human-to-human transmission,' Dr Ly Sovann, the Ministry of Health's director of communicable disease control, told the Telegraph. 'All of the cases are linked with contact with sick or dead poultry, in backyard poultry or in the community.' He added that the close proximity of the four most recent cases instead suggests 'the virus has spread into the poultry in these villages'. In Cambodia, it is common for households to keep small flocks of chickens and ducks which roam around their homes, and live bird markets are still an important cornerstone of the food system. While culturally and economically critical, this means people live and work in the vicinity of poultry – creating a constant spillover risk. But although bird flu is now considered entrenched in poultry in the southeast Asian country, virologists and epidemiologists are racing to understand why there has been a recent spike in spillovers to humans. After an eight year lull, bird flu cases jumped in people in 2023 and 2024. So far this year there have been 11 infections and six deaths – including seven cases detected in June alone. 'As for why we're seeing this uptick now – the honest answer is: we don't fully know yet,' said Dr Erik Karlsson, head of the virology unit and director of the World Health Organization's H5 Reference Laboratory at Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. 'It could be due to increased virus circulation in birds, but it could also reflect deeper socio-economic pressures, climate factors affecting bird movement or immunity, improved surveillance and diagnostics, or some complex combination of all of the above. 'Possibly even [there's] a butterfly effect – a series of small shifts aligning to create a larger impact. We're investigating a range of possible drivers across the animal, human, and environmental interface,' he told the Telegraph. Like Dr Sovann, he stressed that although every case is a concern, there are currently no signs that the H5N1 virus circulating in the country's birds has evolved to spread between people. 'Our genetic sequencing shows consistency with poultry-derived viruses, with no markers suggesting adaptation for onward human spread,' he said. He added that while four of the cases in June were found in Siem Reap, the other three were dotted across the small nation, which is home to roughly 17 million people. '[This] again points toward multiple, independent spillover events rather than any linked chain of transmission.' Dr Sovann said the Ministry of Health is concerned and will remain vigilant, because the 'positive rate is high in the wild birds', and that they're spreading the virus to backyard poultry. But he added that the country has boosted its surveillance system, procured extra lab supplies and bird flu medicines, and strengthened capacity in private and public hospitals. 'We also encourage clinicians to send more samples, and we work together with our local researchers and hospitals to ensure we can collect all the information,' Dr Sovann said. He also noted that there is significant 'cross border' trade of poultry with neighbouring countries. While the virus has been detected in birds across southeast Asia, only Cambodia and Vietnam have recently reported cases in people. 'I will say that we have a good surveillance system,' said Dr Sovann. 'That's why we can detect more and more cases.' Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
‘It's like being tied to the tracks, not knowing when the train is coming,' says mum after ‘back pain' turned deadly
ELISA Beth Magagna was given just months to live after her back pain turned out to be cancer eating into her bones. 'It's like being tied to the train tracks,' the now 42-year-old from Idaho, US, recalled of the day of her prognosis. 7 7 7 'I just don't know when the train is coming.' It was 2020 when the mum first felt the crippling back pain that quickly robbed her of the ability to walk. Despite repeatedly being told it was just normal aches and pains, Elisa, an award-winning author, knew something wasn't right. 'I'd had four of my five kids without pain meds. I know what pain feels like,' she said. 'This was different.' When her leg muscles started to visibly atrophy, a specialist finally ordered an X-ray. It revealed a large tumour that had completely eaten away one her her vertebra, one of the small bones that make up the spinal column. The growth was also pressing into her spinal cord. Further scans revealed Elisa had tumours in every single vertebra in her spine and two more in her brain. She was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma, the most advanced and aggressive form of skin cancer. The disease is often caused by too much sun exposure, according to the NHS. Alarming time-lapse video reveals how tiny 'dark patch' morphs into melanoma The first sign is usually a new mole, or a change in the appearance of an existing one. It being stage 4 means the disease has spread beyond the skin and to other parts of the body. The mum was given just two years to live. Her horror ordeal began back in 2018, when she first noticed a seemingly harmless dark mole on her left wrist. '[The mole] was honestly the most beautiful colour of purple I'd ever seen,' she said. 'But my mum was so concerned, she couldn't stop talking about it.' 'It was a big deal' Eventually, after the mole began to bleed she went to get it checked. The dermatologist wasn't overly concerned but removed it as a precaution. 7 7 Shockingly, a biopsy confirmed it was stage 2 melanoma, meaning the cancer was still confined to the skin, with no signs it had spread elsewhere. But because her wrists were so small, doctors had to take more than just the skin. Muscle and even some bone were removed to ensure as much of the disease was removed as possible. 'The scar is pretty intense,' she said. 'It was a big deal, but they thought they got it all.' A lymph node was taken from under her arm, and Elisa was declared cancer-free. Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis. This occurs when cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to form new tumors elsewhere. Common sites for melanoma to spread include lymph nodes, lungs, liver, bones, and brain. 'Buried alive' Once Elisa discovered her cancer had spread, she underwent gruelling radiation treatments in the hope it could buy her more time. One of these treatments involved being strapped to a table with her head screwed into place under a custom-fitted mask. The process, designed to keep her perfectly still while they targeted tumours in her brain, was so terrifying Elisa says it felt like being 'buried alive.' 'I get claustrophobic,' she explained. 'They suck the air out of this full-body vacuum bag, put a mouthpiece in, and cover you with a blanket. "You can't move. You're just stuck there for 45 minutes. It's one of the scariest things I've ever experienced.' Just as Elisa was starting to feel hopeful again, she was struck with the news that a new tumour had appeared. 7 7 Her doctors have warned that if the upcoming radiation doesn't work, she could have as little as three to six months left. Despite her devastating diagnosis, Elisa has ticked off bucket-list dreams like skydiving, visiting Italy, and even singing the national anthem at a semi-pro baseball game. 'Tomorrow isn't promised' She's also poured her heart into a blog, The Crazy Life of a Writing Mom, sharing the rollercoaster of emotions that come with living with a terminal diagnosis. "I decided to write scheduled posts, years into the future, so my kids would still hear from me after I'm gone,' she said. 'They're like love letters that will outlive me.' Even now, as she deals with new pain, insurance delays, and an MRI scheduled a week away in Utah, Elisa is finding joy in the small things. This includes listening to audiobooks with her daughter Indy, modelling for cancer awareness campaigns, and making TikToks which have garnered millions of likes from her hospital bed. 'I've learned to live in the moment,' she said. 'Tomorrow isn't promised. "Not just life, but your ability to speak, to move, to hug your kids. And that's something I don't take for granted anymore.' Can you spot the cancerous moles from the harmless ones? IF you've spotted a new mole or lingering mark on your skin, don't be too quick to dismiss it. It's important to know what your skin looks like normally, to helps you notice any unusual changes. The ABCDE rule can be followed to assess the health of a mole. If your mole falls into the following, it's worth getting checked: A symmetrical – melanomas usually have two very different halves and are an irregular shape B order – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border C olours – melanomas will usually be a mix of two or more colours D iameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter E nlargement or e levation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma Most melanomas don't give you symptoms like pain or itching. Meanwhile, some non-cancerous moles or abnormal patches of skin can be itchy. So having some of these changes on their own doesn't mean you definitely have melanoma, but you should still get it checked out. There are two main types of skin cancer - non melanoma skin cancer and melanoma skin cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancer includes: Basal cell skin cancer - this is also called basal cell carcinoma Squamous cell skin cancer - this is also called squamous cell carcinoma There are a few different types of melanoma too: Superficial spreading melanoma Nodular melanoma Lentigo maligna melanoma Find out more about distinguishing moles here.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
The exact number of drinks it takes for alcohol to cause a hangover revealed – and it's less than you think
WAKING up with a dry mouth and pounding head after what you thought was a light night? It can take fewer drinks than you think to cause a hangover - less than a bottle of wine, according to a GP. 1 Dr Bhavini Shah, from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, said as little as eight units of alcohol can leave you feeling its effects the day after. How many drinks does this amount to, you may ask? It depends on the type of booze you're sipping on. A shot of vodka, tequila or gin amounts to one unit, so if you down eight shots on their own or with a mixer, it's pretty likely you'll wake up hungover the next day. Four pints of lower strength beer may also leave you tired and nauseous the morning after. And since a large glass of wine is three units, just under three of those can leave lingering effects. Dr Shah walked through how you'll likely feel after each unit of alcohol. 'One or two units of alcohol increases the heart rate, expands blood vessels, and gives a slight 'buzz' which commonly makes people feel more sociable or talkative," he said. 'After four to six units, alcohol begins to impact your nervous system, decreasing reaction time and affecting areas of the brain associated with decision making, resulting in poorer judgement and potentially more reckless behaviour. 'After eight units, your vision and sleep will be affected and you will have consumed more alcohol than your liver can process in one night, resulting in a hangover. Watch Abi go from alcohol addiction to soobriety like Tommy Fury "And after ten units, your coordination will be highly impaired and you can expect symptoms of nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, as well as dehydration and headaches. 'After 12 units, you are at great risk of alcohol poisoning.' Laura Jennings, nutritionist and founder of the NutriMethod told Sun Health that as little as two drinks can cause a hangover if you're opting for dark drinks like whiskey and brandy, or your overall diet is largely made up of processed foods. For context, the NHS advises that you have no more than 14 units of booze throughout the whole week. It recommends you space the drinks out and have a few booze-free days, rather than having them all in one go. For men, anything over eight units in a single session is considered a binge. For women, this is six units, alcohol safety charity Drinkaware says. How long does booze stay in your system? Alcohol is toxic, so every time you drink your body has to work to get rid of it from your system. But it's worth noting hangovers affect everyone differently, depending on your tolerance, weight, hydration and sleep levels, your gender, and even your genes. 'It takes, on average, one hour for your liver to remove one unit of alcohol from your body," Dr Shah explained. "One unit of alcohol could be a small glass of wine (125ml), half a pint of beer, or a single spirit and mixer (25ml). 'There are additional factors that contribute to how long alcohol remains in your system depending on your metabolic rate such as your weight, height, gender and body composition." For example, research suggests that women may be worse affected by hangovers. "There have been some studies to suggest that females make less of an alcohol processing enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver compared with males," the GP said. "This allows a greater proportion of the alcohol to potentially reach other organs, exposing them to the toxic effects of alcohol. "Water constitutes approximately 55 per cent of the average weight of a female. When alcohol is consumed, it is initially absorbed by the water present in the body. "It has been suggested that as females typically have a lower percentage of water in their bodies compared to men, the alcohol absorbed becomes more concentrated." Can I get rid of the booze in my system? Dr Shah said: 'Your body will metabolise alcohol at its own rate and there is not much evidence that you can speed up this natural process. "However, there are steps you can take to reduce the symptoms of your hangover. 'Going to sleep is a good way to let your body naturally remove alcohol from your system by itself. "Drinking water is also essential as it will prevent the dehydrating effects of the alcohol and reduce the impact of headaches. "You should also try to eat bland foods as these will increase your blood sugar without upsetting your stomach.' Surprising hangover cures If you've woken up with a groggy head and an aching body from a day or night on the booze, you need to nourish your body to help it regain strength. Unhealthy, high calorie foods could derail you weight loss efforts as well as make the hangover worse. Shona Wilkinson, Nutritionist at says: 'Excessive alcohol consumption damages your liver. To detox your liver and alleviate nasty hangover symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and dehydration, try some of the below ingredients.' Onions and garlic Both of these foods contain a nutrient called sulphur, according to Shona, which is essential in liver detoxification. 'Toxins in the body essentially join to the sulphur and are then excreted from the body.' Lemon peel Adding some lemon peel to a glass of water or shaving some onto your food could help alleviate some of your hangover symptoms. Shona says: 'Lemon peel contains a substance called limonene, which helps your body to detoxify itself by removing carcinogens from the body. 'There is research that suggests lemon peel may even offer an effective solution to migraines and headaches, given that it's a great source of Vitamin C.' Grapefruit It's the substance naringin in grapefruits, which helps to protect the liver from all kinds of damage. Shona says: 'There are a lot of medicines out there that don't mix too well with grapefruit however, so consult your GP before adding too much grapefruit into your diet if you're on any prescribed medications.' Pickle juice An odd one, but pickle juice is packed with electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which Shona says are essential in a whole host of the body's vital processes. She says: 'Electrolytes help to keep us hydrated by regulating the amount of water in our cells to ensure they're able to function properly. 'If you're hungover, it's the perfect remedy.'
