Abstract
Background and Aim: The sharp increase in the incidence rate of colorectal cancer in Korea over the past decades may be partly attributed to the increase in alcohol consumption. An ecologic study was conducted in Korea to determine the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer.
Methods: We obtained the colorectal cancer incidence rates (1999–2007) from the Korea National Statistics Office and data on national alcohol consumption (1998–2007) from the reports of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Pearson's correlation coefficients were determined using the data of alcohol intakes and colorectal cancer incidence rate. People who consumed more than 45 g alcohol/day were defined as heavy drinkers.
Results: A significant correlation between alcohol consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer was observed in men; Pearson's correlation coefficients were statistically significant for men (r = 0.99; P = 0.001), but not for women (r = 0.82; P = 0.180). In the <50-year age group, the age-specific incidence rate for men was comparable to that for women, but in the ≥50-year age group, it increased rapidly in men. The increase in alcohol consumption appears to be attributable to increase in the number of heavy drinkers among men aged 25–59 years, particularly among men aged 45–49 years.
Conclusion: Alcohol consumption may be positively related to the incidence of colorectal cancer. Our findings may aid in predicting future colorectal cancer incidence in Korea.
Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):B98.
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