Drinking and Cancer

Drinking too much alcohol has been linked to a number of diseases - ranging from gout to fatty liver. A new study expands the number of health conditions on the list.

Heavy drinking has been linked to increased risks of gastric or stomach cancer. These are the findings of a meta-analysis, which examines and analyzes the results of similar studies.

Heavy drinking increases risk of stomach cancer.

The meta-analysis of various research was performed by researchers at the Boston University Medical Center. For men, heavy drinking is defined as having more than two drinks a day; for women, the limit is one drink a day.

Gastric cancer is often not diagnosed until it's advanced. The type of gastric cancer linked to drinking tended to be tumors involving the lower stomach called the noncardia.

However, the differences between tumors of the gastric cardia (top of the stomach) and noncardia weren't significant.

The study also found there was no increased risk linking drinking and gastric cancer among Asians. The reason for this finding remains unclear.

There is no increased risk of gastric cancer and moderate consumption of alcohol.