Alcohol and bowel cancer

Drinking alcohol can cause bowel cancer. Studies show alcohol causes approximately one in 17 bowel cancer cases in the UK.^2,3

Not everyone who drinks alcohol will get bowel cancer, but the risk starts to increase even at low levels of drinking.⁴ So the less you drink, the lower your risk. 

What is bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer is the common term for cancer which starts in the colon or rectum, it is also known as colorectal cancer. This type of cancer is more common in older people. In the UK more than four in 10 (43%) people with a new diagnosis of bowel cancer are aged 75 and over, however it can occur at any age.⁵

Symptoms of bowel cancer

Identifying bowel cancer warning signs early can really help to make treatment more successful. The most common symptoms of bowel cancer are:⁶

• A persistent change in your bowel habit – going to the toilet more frequently, or looser stools
• Blood in your poo
• Abdominal pain – persistent tummy pain or discomfort, especially after eating
• Anaemia – paleness of skin, and fatigue, caused by a lack of red blood cells. This can be caused by rectal bleeding which might not be noticeable by itself 

It’s important to remember that most people with these symptoms do not have bowel cancer. But you should definitely make an appointment with your GP surgery if you have one or more of these symptoms, and it has lasted for longer than three weeks.⁷

The link between alcohol and bowel cancer

In 2018 a large review was published looking at alcohol use across the world, and the associated impacts on health. The researchers found a strong association between alcohol consumption and the risk of bowel cancer.⁸

The more alcohol a person drinks, the higher their risk of bowel cancer.⁹

Bowel cancer screening

The NHS offers bowel screening checks to help detect bowel cancer early. People who are eligible for a screening check are posted a home test kit, called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), to collect a small sample of poo and send it to a lab.

The test checks for tiny bits of blood in your sample, which can be a sign of bowel cancer, or other growths in the bowel called ‘polyps’, which might turn into cancer over time.

You will usually get the results within about two weeks. If the results show anything unusual, you will be invited to make an appointment for further tests which can diagnose or rule out bowel cancer.

Bowel cancer screening through the NHS varies slightly, depending on which part of the UK you are in:

• In England everyone aged 50 to 74 who is registered with a GP is automatically sent a bowel cancer screening kit every two years. Over 75s can request a kit by phoning 0800 707 60 60. Get more information on the NHS website.
• In Scotland people aged 50 to 74 are invited for a bowel screening test every two years. A free test kit is sent to the address you have registered with your GP. Find out more from NHS Scotland.
• In Wales people aged between 50 and 74 are invited to take a test every two years. Get more information from Bowel Screening Wales.
• In Northern Ireland people aged 60 to 74 are invited to take a screening test by their health and social care trust. Find out more on the NI Direct website.

Reducing the risk of bowel cancer

If you choose to drink, to keep health risks from alcohol low, the UK Chief Medical Officers’ (CMOs) advise it's safest for both men and women to drink no more than 14 units a week, spread over three or more days with several drink-free days, and no bingeing.¹⁰

In fact, the more you cut down, the more you reduce your risk of bowel cancer.

Other ways to reduce your risk of bowel cancer include:¹¹

• Quit smoking
• Eat a diet high in fibre and low in red meat
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Keep your bowel cancer screening appointment

Use our Unit and Calorie Calculator below to see how your drinks add up or find out how reducing the amount you drink can help you maintain a healthy weight. Alcohol, calories, and maintaining a healthy weight.