Alcohol Consumption
Limit Your Intake!
Alcohol consumption increases your risk for cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, colorectal (for men) and breast. There is further evidence to show a probable link with liver cancer and colorectal cancer in women.
Cancer Care Ontario recommends for cancer prevention to limit alcohol consumption to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. The increased risk is based on amount of alcohol consumed, not the type: one drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor.
 

 
Cancer Facts and Targets
In 2005 in North Eastern Ontario 34.7% of adult males and 16.3% of adult females were not following the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) low risk drinking guidelines.
 
The Cancer 2020 target is 98% will follow the low-risk drinking guidelines set out by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Links and Resources
What You Can Do
 
  • Follow Cancer Care Ontario’s recommendations for limiting alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for women and 2 drinks a day for men for cancer prevention.
  • Know what a standard serving of alcohol is when following the guidelines.
  • If you don’t already drink, don’t start for health reasons.
  • Always have a glass of water along with your alcoholic drink.
  • Drink slowly; wait at least one hour between each drink and take alcohol with food.
  • Talk to your children about the risks of alcohol consumption.
 
For more information about alcohol, see Links and Resources.