Overview
- Peer-reviewed analysis of Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) trial data followed 88,092 U.S. adults for about 20 years to assess lifetime alcohol exposure and colorectal outcomes.
- Current drinkers averaging 14 or more drinks per week over their lifetime had a 25% higher risk of colorectal cancer compared with those averaging less than one drink per week.
- Rectal cancer risk was 95% higher among heavy lifetime drinkers than among very light drinkers, indicating a particularly strong site-specific association.
- Consistent heavy drinking across adulthood was associated with about a 91% higher colorectal cancer risk compared with consistent light drinking.
- Former drinkers showed no elevated colorectal cancer risk and had lower odds of nonadvanced adenomas, though the findings are observational and rely on self-reported alcohol use.