Health

No Safe Level: Study Links Even Low Alcohol Intake to Higher Cancer Risk

Published

3 months ago

June 1, 2026

No Safe Level: Study Links Even Low Alcohol Intake to Higher Cancer Risk

Seattle, Washington – Even a single daily drink could be enough to raise the risk of cancer, according to a major global study that delivers one of the strongest warnings yet about alcohol’s impact on human health. The massive analysis, covering 843 scientific studies and millions of people worldwide, found that alcohol is linked to a wide range of serious diseases, with cancer risks increasing even at low levels of drinking. Researchers declared that the findings reinforce a blunt scientific reality: alcohol is a known cause of cancer, officially classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) — the same category as tobacco, asbestos, and ionising radiation. And crucially, they warn there may be no completely safe level of consumption when it comes to cancer.

The study, published in Nature Health on June 1, 2026, examined alcohol’s effects on 20 major diseases, including multiple cancers, liver failure, heart disease, infections, and brain disorders. Across almost every category, the risks rose as drinking increased, but in several cancers, damage began at surprisingly low intake levels. The research applied the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Burden of Proof (BoP) meta-analytic framework to carefully account for differences across studies and determine the most conservative estimate supported by the data.

One of the most alarming findings involved cancers of the throat and upper airways. The study found that pharyngeal cancer (excluding nasopharyngeal cancer) showed the strongest association, with at least a 105% increase in risk at average consumption levels — earning the highest five-star rating in the study’s evidence grading system. At around two alcoholic drinks per day (20g of alcohol), researchers found a 56% higher risk of certain pharyngeal cancers compared with non-drinkers. At higher levels, the danger escalated sharply, with risk more than tripling in some cases. At 40 grams per day (approximately four standard drinks), the mean relative risk reached 2.73 (230-323% increase), and at 76 grams per day (about 7.5 drinks), risk soared to 4.24 times higher than non-drinkers. The dose-response relationship for pharyngeal cancer was found to be non-linear, with risk increasing steeply at lower intake levels before levelling off at higher exposures. This means the greatest proportional increase in risk occurs at relatively low levels of drinking.

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The study found harmful associations between alcohol use and all ten cancers examined, with risk increasing progressively as intake rose. Even consumption below one standard drink per day (less than 10 grams of pure alcohol) was associated with elevated risk for cancers of the pharynx, colorectum, esophagus, breast, liver, pancreas, and prostate. Laryngeal cancer, colorectal cancer, and lip and oral cavity cancer showed moderate evidence of harm, with the analysis indicating risk increases of at least 22% to 49% (three-star associations). Cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases showed at least a 40% increase in risk, while pancreatitis showed at least a 22% increase (three-star associations). Esophageal cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer showed weaker but consistent evidence of harm, with risks rising steadily as consumption increased (two-star associations). Of all cancers studied, stomach cancer was the one health outcome needing additional evidence to better understand the strength of the relationship.

The study’s findings challenge the widespread belief that moderate drinking is harmless. While some earlier research has suggested that small amounts of alcohol might offer limited protection against conditions such as heart disease, dementia, and diabetes, the authors of the new study explained that these findings are uncertain and likely influenced by differences in lifestyle, diet, and health status between drinkers and non-drinkers. For several non-cancer outcomes, the dose-response relationship was J- or U-shaped. Type 2 diabetes showed a small reduction in risk of at least 4.5% at low-to-moderate intake levels. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias showed a reduction of at least 6.4% at low-to-moderate intake levels. For ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke, and haemorrhagic stroke, evidence of lower risk at low-to-moderate intake was inconsistent. However, importantly, any possible protective effects disappeared as alcohol intake increased, while cancer risks continued to rise. At higher levels of consumption, the evidence points to increased risk across every outcome examined. Atrial fibrillation and flutter showed increased risk, with the analysis indicating at least a 6% increase.

The mechanisms through which alcohol increases cancer risk are well-established. According to health authorities, ethanol and its main metabolite acetaldehyde can damage DNA in cells, leading to mutations that can trigger cancer development. Alcohol also increases oestrogen levels, which is particularly important for breast carcinogenesis. It can act as a solvent for tobacco carcinogens, enhancing their cancer-causing effects, and produce reactive oxygen species and nitrogen species that can damage cellular components. Additionally, alcohol can alter folate metabolism, affecting DNA synthesis and repair. Crucially, alcohol’s carcinogenic effect is independent of the type of alcoholic beverage. The risk is the same whether the drink is beer, wine, or spirits. It is the ethanol itself — and its metabolite acetaldehyde — that causes the damage.

The researchers warned of a major public awareness gap. While most people understand the link between smoking and cancer, far fewer realise that alcohol is also a direct carcinogen. “This is not just a lifestyle issue; it is a cancer risk issue,” the study implies through its findings, highlighting alcohol as one of the most widespread avoidable causes of disease globally. According to a February 2026 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, only 53% of American adults say that regularly consuming alcohol increases cancer risk — statistically unchanged from the previous year. More than a quarter (29%) remain unsure how alcohol consumption affects cancer risk. The survey noted that public awareness had improved following the U.S. Surgeon General’s January 2025 advisory on alcohol and cancer risk, which called for updated warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers. However, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture later removed the warning linking alcohol consumption to cancer from the Dietary Guidelines, it “turned its back on a substantial body of research,” according to APPC Director Kathleen Hall Jamieson.

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Alcohol consumption accounts for an estimated 741,300 new cases of cancer worldwide annually (about 4% of all new cancer cases) and contributes to nearly 400,000 deaths due to cancer every year. Half of all alcohol-attributable cancers in the WHO European Region are caused by “light” and “moderate” alcohol consumption — defined as less than 1.5 litres of wine, less than 3.5 litres of beer, or less than 450 millilitres of spirits per week. The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Europe and IARC launched a new volume of the IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention in October 2025, focusing specifically on the impact on cancer of reduction or cessation of alcohol consumption and the effectiveness of alcohol policies.

The authors called for stronger public warnings, clearer labelling, and updated health guidance that reflects alcohol’s cancer risk more directly. The UK Government’s National Cancer Plan for England, published in February 2026, acknowledges this need, committing to mandatory requirements for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages. Dr. Emmanuela Gakidou, senior author and Professor at IHME, explained the complexity: “The science on alcohol and health is genuinely complex. For cancer, the evidence is consistent and unambiguous: risk rises with any level of alcohol intake. For some cardiometabolic and dementia outcomes, studies suggest small reduced risks at low-to-moderate consumption, but those associations became weaker and reversed at higher levels of drinking. Rather than interpreting these results as an endorsement of drinking, they lay out a complex map of where the evidence is strong, weak, or mixed.” Dr. Xiaochen Dai, lead author and research collaborator at IHME, added: “Our framework takes a cautious approach by accounting for differences across studies and reporting the smallest plausible effect supported by the data. For some cardiometabolic and dementia outcomes, the relationship is more complex, and the evidence is weaker, which is exactly what our star ratings are designed to make clear.”

For millions of people who see alcohol as a normal part of daily life, the message from this landmark study is stark: even “moderate” drinking may come with a hidden cost — and that cost could be cancer. The study’s findings suggest that drinking guidelines should be informed by up-to-date evidence across the full range of health outcomes, discourage heavy episodic drinking, and clearly communicate that even low-to-moderate intake is associated with elevated risk for several conditions, especially cancers. The researchers note that complete cessation of alcohol consumption is the only certain way to eliminate alcohol-related cancer risk entirely.

For quick reference, the cancer risk findings at average consumption levels are as follows: pharyngeal cancer shows at least a 105% increase with five-star evidence; laryngeal cancer shows at least a 49% increase with three-star evidence; cirrhosis and chronic liver disease show at least a 40% increase with three-star evidence; colorectal cancer shows at least a 22% increase with three-star evidence; lip and oral cavity cancer shows at least a 22% increase with three-star evidence; pancreatitis shows at least a 22% increase with three-star evidence; and esophageal, breast, liver, pancreatic, and prostate cancers show consistent evidence of harm with two-star evidence ratings.

No Safe Level: Study Links Even Low Alcohol Intake to Higher Cancer Risk

Health

Kano diphtheria outbreak: Over 50 children reportedly dead as lawmakers demand urgent action

Published

6 days ago

August 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Kano diphtheria outbreak: Over 50 children reportedly dead as lawmakers demand urgent action

The Kano State House of Assembly has called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to urgently intervene in a reported diphtheria outbreak in Rano Local Government Area, where lawmakers say more than 50 children have died.

The alarm was raised during Monday’s plenary after the member representing Rano Constituency, Ibrahim Muhammad, presented a motion of urgent public importance before the House, presided over by Speaker Ismail Falgore.

Muhammad said the outbreak had particularly affected communities in Ridin and Sabuwar Kaura, where more than 50 children were reportedly killed by the disease.

He said emergency measures had already been initiated, including the purchase of medication and deployment of health workers to the affected communities. However, the lawmaker stressed that the response needed to be significantly strengthened to contain the outbreak and prevent additional deaths.

Muhammad appealed to Governor Yusuf and the Kano State Commissioner for Health to provide further emergency assistance to the affected communities, warning that the disease had spread extensively in the area.

He also expressed concern over the recurrence of the outbreak, noting that a similar incident had reportedly claimed several lives in the area last year.

The situation, according to another lawmaker, has also raised concerns beyond Rano. Supporting the motion, the member representing Kiru Constituency, Usman Abubakar Tasiu, said the outbreak had reportedly spread to communities in Kiru, including Kwarin Dangora, Dangora town and Yelwa.

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Tasiu disclosed that an APC youth leader in Kiru reportedly lost two children to the disease within one day. He called for the establishment of an emergency committee to coordinate the response across affected local government areas.

He proposed that the emergency response should cover Rano, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure, Bebeji and Kiru, amid concerns that transmission could spread further without stronger intervention.

Another lawmaker, Saleh Ahmad, representing Dawakin Tofa Constituency, urged the state government to intensify vaccination and other preventive measures. He warned that diphtheria is contagious and can spread rapidly to neighbouring communities.

The Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Husseini, also urged the state government to invoke the provisions of the state’s Health Protection Law to contain the outbreak.

According to Husseini, the law empowers the government to provide emergency relief and free healthcare while allowing authorities to isolate affected persons and restrict movement where necessary in areas affected by infectious diseases.

The Assembly subsequently approved the motion and directed its Committee on Health to engage the Ministry of Health on the implementation of the law and the provision of emergency relief to affected communities.

The latest development is particularly concerning because Kano has historically carried a large share of Nigeria’s diphtheria burden. Previous health surveillance data showed that Kano recorded thousands of suspected and confirmed cases during Nigeria’s prolonged diphtheria outbreak, alongside hundreds of deaths.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can cause severe illness and death, particularly among people who are unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated. The disease can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact, making rapid detection, treatment, contact tracing and vaccination important components of outbreak control.

The reported deaths in the current Rano outbreak are based on statements made by Kano lawmakers. The specific death toll should therefore be treated as reported by the Kano State House of Assembly pending further confirmation from relevant health authorities.

The lawmakers’ intervention puts additional pressure on the state government to verify the scale of the current outbreak, strengthen disease surveillance, provide medicines and other emergency supplies, intensify vaccination and ensure that affected residents have timely access to treatment.

The immediate priority is to prevent further deaths and stop the reported spread of the disease from Rano to neighbouring communities.

Kano diphtheria outbreak: Over 50 children reportedly dead as lawmakers demand urgent action

Health

FG strengthens emergency response, releases medical hotlines for Nigerians

Published

2 weeks ago

August 20, 2026

Trends Admin

FG strengthens emergency response, releases medical hotlines for Nigerians

The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to dial 112 whenever they face a medical emergency requiring urgent attention, as it released a list of emergency medical call centre numbers covering states across the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) said the toll-free 112 emergency number serves as a central access point for emergency medical assistance, while several states have additional dedicated numbers to facilitate faster responses.

NEMSAS said its emergency response system is designed to provide rapid intervention, professional medical care and life-saving services, with emergency responders available around the clock.

The agency released emergency contact numbers covering 35 states and the FCT, although it listed the emergency call centres in Benue and Imo as not operational.

Under the emergency contact arrangements, residents of Abia can call 112 or 08000000800, while those in Adamawa can use 112, 1755 or 07011111443.

In Akwa Ibom, the listed numbers are 112, 08000022322 and 08000022422, while residents of Anambra can call 112, 5111 or 08002200008.

Residents of Bauchi can dial 112 or 07038636433, while Bayelsa residents can use 112 or 08002200223. NEMSAS listed Borno as 112 or 08000000033, while Cross River has 112 as its listed emergency number.

For Delta, the listed contacts are 112, 07041008130 and 07041008131, while residents of Ebonyi can call 112, 08086446891 or 08086445736.

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In Edo, residents can use 112, 739 or 09037999871, while Ekiti lists 112, 08000606606, 0811111122, 0811111133, 0811111144 and 0811111155.

Residents of Enugu can call 112, 09074996090 or 07066466429, while Gombe lists 112 or 07033825646. Jigawa has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Kaduna residents can call 112 or 08064111599.

For Kano, the listed emergency contacts are 112, 09019999920 and 09049999914. Katsina and Kebbi each have 112 listed as their emergency number.

Residents of Kogi can dial 112, while Kwara residents can call 112, 09062010001 or 09062010002.

In Lagos, the listed emergency numbers are 112 and 767, while Nasarawa residents can use 112 or 08144911269.

Residents of Niger State can call 112, 08022422953 or 08155577513, while those in Osun can use 112, 08111110532 or 08111110561.

For Ogun, the listed numbers are 112 and 08112000033, while Ondo residents can call 112 or 08055300300.

Residents of Oyo can dial 112 or 615, while Plateau lists 112 or 09136982496.

In Rivers, residents can call 112, 09040222281, 09040222283 or 09040222285, while Sokoto residents can use 112, 07045963318 or 07071765080.

For Taraba, the listed emergency contacts are 112, 07041122777 and 07041100777, while Yobe residents can call 112, 09169981792 or 08000090009.

Zamfara has 112 as its listed emergency number, while residents of the FCT can call 112, 09157892931 or 09157892932.

The release is part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen emergency medical services in Nigeria, improve ambulance response and reduce delays in transporting patients to appropriate healthcare facilities.

NEMSAS has previously disclosed that emergency medical service structures have been established across the 36 states and the FCT, although the level of operational readiness differs from one state to another.

The agency has also identified challenges affecting the nationwide use of 112, including connectivity problems and inadequate public awareness. It has called for stronger collaboration with telecommunications providers to improve access to the emergency line.

To complement the national number, NEMSAS has therefore encouraged states to maintain dedicated emergency call centres and provide alternative contacts for residents.

The Federal Government is also pursuing a digital emergency dispatch platform designed to connect emergency callers, ambulance operators and healthcare facilities. The system is expected to support faster dispatch, patient tracking, referrals and coordination between emergency responders and treatment centres.

NEMSAS has expanded the deployment of emergency response assets, including ambulances and other vehicles designed to reach communities that may be difficult to access with conventional emergency vehicles.

The agency’s Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transport (RESMAT) programme is also aimed at improving access to emergency transportation for pregnant women, newborns and other residents in underserved communities.

NEMSAS has called for greater public awareness of emergency services and urged Nigerians not to delay seeking help when confronted with life-threatening situations.

The agency advised residents to save 112 and their relevant state emergency numbers on their mobile phones so they can quickly request assistance when needed.

NEMSAS stressed that its emergency medical response service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that prompt access to professional emergency care can be critical in saving lives.

FG strengthens emergency response, releases medical hotlines for Nigerians

Health

Stage 4 Cancer: Understanding Ogogo’s Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Published

2 weeks ago

August 18, 2026

Trends Admin

Veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo

Stage 4 Cancer: Understanding Ogogo’s Diagnosis and Treatment Options

The recent emotional appeals by the daughters of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have drawn national attention to the realities of stage-four cancer. The 66-year-old film icon’s family revealed he was diagnosed with the advanced disease about three weeks ago and that hospitals have indicated they can no longer continue chemotherapy. This has sparked confusion and concern, prompting a medical expert to clarify what a stage-four diagnosis truly means, how it is treated, and why palliative care is not the same as being abandoned.

Stage-four cancer is the most advanced stage in the commonly used TNM staging system. It generally means the cancer has spread from where it first developed to distant parts of the body—a process known as metastasis. Dr. Olusina Ajidahun, a medical doctor and health communicator known as The Bearded Dr Sina on X, explained it simply: “Stage 4 cancer means the cancer has left the primary organ and gone to other sites.” Cancer staging uses the TNM system to assess the size and extent of the main tumor, whether nearby lymph nodes are affected, and whether the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. The stage given at diagnosis remains the same, even if the cancer worsens or spreads further.

Symptoms of cancer vary depending on the type and location of the disease. According to medical experts, possible symptoms include unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness, unusual bleeding, persistent pain, a lump or swelling anywhere on the body, changes in bowel or bladder habits, persistent cough or hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and changes to the skin. For metastatic cancer, symptoms depend on where the cancer has spread. Spread to the bones can cause pain or fractures, spread to the brain can cause headaches, seizures, or dizziness, spread to the lungs can cause shortness of breath, and spread to the liver can cause jaundice or abdominal swelling. It is important to note that many of these symptoms can be caused by other illnesses, and a persistent or unusual symptom should always be assessed by a healthcare professional rather than self-diagnosed. Some cancers may cause few or no noticeable symptoms in their early stages, which is why regular screenings are recommended for certain cancers and groups of people. Early diagnosis can significantly improve the chances that cancer will respond to treatment.

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Yes, stage-four cancer can be treated. Treatment depends on several factors, including the type of cancer, where it has spread, the characteristics of the cancer, the patient’s general health, and how the cancer responds to treatment. Depending on the circumstances, doctors may use chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. In October 2025, Nigeria launched its first immunotherapy program for metastatic colorectal cancer at National Hospital Abuja, marking a significant step forward in advanced cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa. For many patients with metastatic cancer, the goals of treatment shift to shrinking or controlling the cancer, slowing its growth, relieving symptoms, helping the patient live longer, and maintaining quality of life. Research shows advancements in treatment options are helping people with metastatic cancer live longer and have a better quality of life overall.

Dr. Ajidahun clarified that when patients reach stage four and chemotherapy and other available therapies have been explored, doctors may recommend palliative care. “When patients have stage 4 cancer and chemo and/or other therapies have been explored, there is a form of care called PALLIATIVE CARE… which is end-of-life care and care for terminal diseases because at the point of the disease you cannot treat it, but you can manage associated symptoms and give the person a good quality of life before death,” he explained. He stressed that moving a patient to palliative care does not mean medical treatment has been withdrawn. Rather, it may reflect a change in the goal of care, particularly when doctors believe further aggressive treatment could cause more harm than benefit. Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life, managing symptoms such as pain, difficulty breathing, and other problems associated with cancer or its treatment. It does not necessarily mean that cancer treatment has stopped or that doctors have given up on the patient.

Dr. Ajidahun cautioned that describing the situation as hospitals refusing to treat the actor could create a misleading impression and potentially expose medical personnel to hostility. “Saying they don’t want to treat my father makes it look like they are intentionally rejecting him, and in the context of recent happenings in the health sector, it can trigger an insurrection and put a bad label on health care workers,” he said. In response to one of Ogogo’s daughters mentioning herbs as a possible option, Dr. Ajidahun issued a strong warning: “There are no herbs that will treat a stage 4 cancer.” He cautioned that unverified concoctions could damage more organs and cause further complications, ultimately wasting money and creating more problems. “These concoctions will end up damaging more organs and causing more complications. You’d end up wasting money and causing more problems,” he said.

Public information about Ogogo’s health remains limited. His daughters have publicly said that he is battling stage-four cancer and have appealed for medical assistance. According to reports, several hospitals have turned their father away because of his condition, and the family is seeking medical direction rather than financial donations. The public reports do not establish the specific type of cancer Ogogo has, the extent to which it may have spread, or his detailed medical prognosis. Those questions can only be properly assessed by his medical team after reviewing his diagnosis, scans, pathology results, treatment history, and overall health. Key takeaways from this explanation are that stage-four cancer means the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, treatment is still possible and may aim to control the cancer, relieve symptoms, and prolong life, palliative care focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life and is not abandonment, herbal remedies for stage-four cancer are dangerous and unproven, and Ogogo’s specific prognosis cannot be determined from public information alone.