Home / Understanding Bowel Cancer / Diet & Exercise / Alcohol & Bowel Cancer

Understanding Bowel Cancer

Alcohol, Smoking and Bowel Cancer risk

There is some evidence to suggest that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and smoking can increase the risk of developing bowel cancer.

Alcohol consumption should be kept to a recommended maximum of 14 units for women and 21 units for men per week. This is an example of how it's broken down:

1 bottle (330ml) of 4% beer = 1.3 units
1 standard glass (175ml) 12% red wine = 2.1 units
1 (25ml) shot of spirits = 1 unit
1 small glass (125ms) 11% champagne = 1.4 units

Smokers are more likely to develop polyps (growths in the bowel) which could turn into cancer if not discovered.

Last updated 21st August 2012