Japan's National Cancer Center has strengthened its alcohol consumption guidelines in its cancer prevention recommendations, shifting from advising moderation to recommending complete abstinence. This change reflects accumulating research indicating that even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of developing cancer.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the National Cancer Center announced on June 3 that it has released an updated version of its booklet titled "5+1 Cancer Prevention Methods Based on Scientific Evidence." This booklet presents lifestyle habits that can reduce cancer risk, based on research conducted on the Japanese population.
The most notable change in this revision is the alcohol consumption guideline. Previously, the center recommended moderation for drinkers, but the latest edition now advises against drinking altogether. The center's analysis of studies on Japanese individuals confirms that alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of esophageal, liver, colorectal, and head and neck cancers, and it also establishes a strong link between alcohol and stomach cancer in men and breast cancer in premenopausal women.
The research team explained that for certain cancers, the risk increases progressively with higher alcohol intake, and there is no safe level of drinking. Therefore, from a cancer prevention perspective, abstaining from alcohol is deemed the most advisable approach.
The guidelines regarding body weight have also been adjusted. The National Cancer Center has lowered the recommended upper limit for body mass index (BMI) for men from 27 to 25, reflecting the increased cancer risk associated with higher BMI. Both men and women are now advised to maintain a BMI in the range of 21 to 25. However, the center also noted that being excessively underweight can increase cancer risk, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.
The updated booklet is structured around five lifestyle habits, plus an additional focus on infection prevention, termed the "5+1" approach. Recommendations include not smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke, reducing salt intake while increasing consumption of vegetables and fruits, allowing hot foods and beverages to cool before consumption, and increasing physical activity in daily life. It also includes guidelines for screenings and vaccinations to combat cancer-causing pathogens.
Given Japan's deep-rooted culture of workplace drinking and social drinking, these recommendations are seen as a call for a broader change in lifestyle habits. The National Cancer Center has made it clear that, contrary to the common belief that "a little drinking is fine," the best approach to cancer prevention is to avoid alcohol altogether.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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