Search the site Donate
We're the UK's leading bowel cancer charity

Alcohol and smoking

Alcohol

Alcohol is linked to an increased risk of developing several types of cancer including bowel cancer. Alcohol can damage the cells that line the inside of the bowel, which makes it more likely for cancer to develop.

To reduce the risk of cancer, it’s best to not drink alcohol. 

If you do drink alcohol, cutting down the amount you drink will reduce your risk. It’s recommended that people drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week and spread it out over the week. Aim to have at least two days without alcohol each week. 

What is a unit of alcohol? 

  • A pint of ordinary strength beer, cider or lager = 2 units 
  • One standard glass of wine (175ml) = 2 units 
  • One measure of spirits (25ml) = 1 unit  

Smoking

Smoking increases your risk of developing several cancers, including bowel cancer. People who smoke are more likely to develop polyps (non-cancerous growths) in the bowel which could turn into cancer if they’re not treated.

If you want to give up smoking, you can get free one-to-one support from your local NHS Stop Smoking service.

Find out more at nhs.uk/livewell.

Download our Simple steps for good bowel health booklet

Updated August 2024

Back to 'reducing your risk'

Back to 'About bowel cancer'

PIF TICK logo with the words Trusted Information Creator and Patient Information Forum. There is a blue rectangular border with a big green tick.

We're accredited as a Trusted Information Creator by the Patient Information Forum. This means the way we write our resources has been independently assessed as health information you can trust.

Thanks supporter

Thanks for signing up for this great campaign. To complete the setup of your JustGiving page you need to first create an account for myemail@domain.tld, please enter a new password to use below. Alternatively if you already have an account and would like to use it just click here.

Thanks supporter

Thanks for signing up for this great campaign. To complete the setup of your JustGiving page you need to login to your myemail@domain.tld account, please enter the password for that account below. Alternatively if you have a different account you would like to use just click here.

Forgotten your password?

Forgotten password

Hi supporter, do you want to send a password reminder?.

JustGiving Login

Hi supporter, please enter your JustGiving login details below and we'll handle the rest.

close button

Can you spare ten minutes?

We’d love to hear your feedback on our health information. Complete our survey today and be in with the chance of winning a one-year supply of Andrex® toilet rolls.

Take the survey