An Underestimated Risk

Alcohol: the risk of cancer increases with every sip

Hardly anyone thinks about the consequences of regular alcohol consumption.(Bild: Robert Goodall - stock.adobe.com)

Whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, or simply passing an exam—alcohol flows freely on countless occasions in Austria. After all, it’s a tradition. Yet abstinence would certainly be advisable: Aside from possible hangovers the morning after, alcohol massively increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer.

Even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous to the human body. However, most people have no idea of this, as the latest U.S. studies show. Over 50 percent of those surveyed said they didn’t know that alcoholic beverages increase the risk of cancer. Yet alcohol consumption is responsible for about 800,000 cases of cancer worldwide each year. What about your personal risk?