Alcohol Drinking Without Meals Is Associated With Risk of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Including Early-Onset Cases

Globally, gastrointestinal (GI) cancers account for about 27% of newly diagnosed cancer cases and 37% of cancer deaths. 1 Sung H. et al. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021; 71: 209-249 Crossref PubMed Scopus (48830) Google Scholar Intriguingly, there has been an upward trend in the incidence of several GI cancers (gastric noncardia, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer) among adults younger than 50 or 55 years over the past several decades. 2 Sung H. et al. Lancet Public Health. 2019; 4: e137-e147 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (320) Google Scholar Alcohol drinking, a pervasive behavior across the globe and a causal risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, liver cancer, and colorectal cancer, is also gaining recognition as a potential risk factor for gastric, pancreatic, and gallbladder cancers. 3 IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to HumansIARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 2012; 100: 1-538 Google Scholar Most studies have focused on the amount of alcohol, often highlighting the dose–response relationship 4 Yoo J.E. et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2021; 4e2120382 Google Scholar ; there are scarce data exploring the effect of timing of drinking on GI cancer. Recently, skipping meals before drinking has been gaining popularity among young adults to save calories and avoid weight gain. However, the independent impact of such contemporary drinking patterns on the risk of GI cancers, especially those of early onset, has not been investigated. Lifestyle-Associated Risk Factors and Gastrointestinal Cancers: Targeting Potential of the Gut Microbe–Host Crosstalk-Based Metabolic ProcessesGastroenterologyPreviewAlcohol consumption has long been considered a significant lifestyle-associated risk factor for digestive tract tumors, although controversy exists. Previous research has primarily focused on the volume of alcohol intake, with widespread acknowledgment of the promotional effect of heavy drinking on digestive tract tumors.1 However, some studies suggest that light to moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.2 In this issue of Gastroenterology, Shi et al3 innovatively shifted their focus to alcohol consumption patterns or timing, revealing a 10% increase in the risk of gastrointestinal cancers, particularly gastric cancer, liver cancer, and rectal cancer, among the population drinking without meals. Full-Text PDF CME Exam 2: Alcohol Drinking Without Meals Is Associated With Risk of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Including Early-Onset CasesGastroenterologyVol. 166Issue 2Preview Full-Text PDF