Reduced alcohol consumption could prevent 427 cancer diagnoses per year

A modest reduction in alcohol consumption could have a significant impact on cancer rates in the Netherlands. IKNL estimates that cutting intake by just two drinks per week could prevent over 11,500 cancer diagnoses by 2050, equivalent to an average of 427 fewer cases each year.

Alcohol consumption raises the risk of several forms of cancer, even at low levels, the institute notes. IKNL states that cutting back by two drinks per week could significantly reduce cases of colorectal cancer among men and breast cancer among women.

Data from the 2024 Health Survey/Lifestyle Monitor show that alcohol use remains widespread in the Netherlands, with almost three-quarters of the population drinking. At the same time, both the share of people who drink and the amount they consume have been slowly trending downward in recent years.

In its analysis, the institute looked at the potential additional health gains from a further reduction in alcohol use on top of the existing downward trend. The researchers factored in the time required to roll out stronger prevention measures and raise awareness, assuming that a reduction of two drinks per week would not be fully realized until 2032, with consumption falling steadily in the years leading up to that point.

“Awareness that alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer, even in small amounts, is still insufficient. We show that cutting back by two glasses of alcohol per week can already make a real difference in the number of cancer diagnoses in the Netherlands,” said Jelle Evers, a researcher and epidemiologist at IKNL.