Could Wine Consumption Significantly Increase Risk for Melanoma?

Alcohol intake—specifically white wine consumption—is associated with a significantly increased risk of melanoma on parts of the body that receive less sun exposure, according to new research.

It has been established that alcohol intake is associated with an increased risk of cancer, but little research had assessed the association between alcohol intake and melanoma risk.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RELATED CONTENT
Alcohol Consumption Is Not Associated With CAD
U.S. Teenagers' Use of Cigarettes and Alcohol Are at a 40-Year Low
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For their study, the researchers analyzed data from 210,252 adults in the United States who were participating in 3 large prospective cohort studies.

Participants completed food-frequency questionnaires to determine alcohol intake. A standard drink was defined as 12.8 g of alcohol.

After a mean 18.3-year follow-up, alcohol was associated with a 14% increased risk of melanoma per drink per day. White wine was associated with the highest risk (13%), whereas beer, red wine, and spirits did not significantly affect melanoma risk.

In addition, the highest risk was seen for parts of the body that receive less sun exposure. Although participants who drank 20 g of alcohol or more per day were 2% more likely to be diagnosed with melanomas of the head, neck, or extremities than nondrinkers, their risk was significantly higher for melanoma of the trunk (73%).

“The clinical and biological significance of these findings remains to be determined, but for motivated individuals with other strong risk factors for melanoma, counseling regarding alcohol use may be an appropriate risk-reduction strategy to reduce risks of melanoma as well as other cancers,” the researchers concluded.

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Alcohol intake associated with increased risk of melanoma [press release]. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. December 1, 2016. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-12/aafc-aia112916.php.