Huge cancer risk linked to bad habit that thousands of Australians are doing daily

The recent rise in cancer among younger people has sparked all manner of speculation about what new factors lie behind it, but a fresh study has found that two longstanding culprits – drinking and smoking – take most of the blame.

A major, global report revealed the combination of drinking and smoking raises the risk of colorectal cancer in under-50s.

German researchers compiled just over two dozen studies comparing regular drinkers and smokers to teetotalers. 

Just 100 cigarettes in a person’s lifetime – the equivalent of one per week for two years – was linked to a 59 percent higher risk than people who have never smoked.

Colorectal cancer, or bowel cancer as it is often called, is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.

The link between colorectal cancer with drinking and smoking was something Associate Professor Raglan Maddox, who leads ANU’s Tobacco Free research group, is aware of.

‘I’m not overly surprised to see things like colorectal cancers increasing in people under the age of 50, particularly in Australia,’ he said.

‘We tend to think that we’re fit, healthy, (leaning) into that healthy lifestyle culture that Australia is well known for and stereotyped for.’

A key report has lifted the lid on how the drinking and smoking can increase the risk of colorectal cancer in under-50s (stock image)

But he warned that Australia is seeing more diagnoses in those aged from 20 to 39, often at advanced stages due to overlooked or dismissed symptoms.

‘Australia has a fairly socialised, normalised behavior around alcohol consumption. Drinking, smoking and vaping are quite high risk factors,’ he said.

‘It is something that we’re seeing change over time, but it is something that we need to be absolutely aware of.’

Alcohol and smoking have both been linked to colon cancer in the past, as they release chemicals that destroy DNA and cause cancer cells to mutate.

But the new study is one of the first to compare both factors at once in relatively low amounts.

‘We know that smoking and alcohol consumption, both independently and in combination, are causal for cancers’ Assoc. Prof Maddox said.

‘(But we also) know that these substances are also aggressively marketed towards young people, often as part of a nightlife, party-type culture.

‘How do we make sure that we look after ourselves and live fruitful, happy lives?’

Associate Professor Raglan Maddox has warned Australians are normalised to high-risk behaviour such as drinking and smoking (stock image) 

Assoc. Prof Maddox said there needs to be increased awareness about the addictive nature of smoking and Australians should seeks support from loved ones.

‘Overall, the harm is massive. We know that, on average, 66 Australians will pass away every day from smoking,’ he said.

‘It’s this silent epidemic that people don’t talk about but we know causes cancer, heart disease, diabetes (and) a whole range of issues.’

When it comes to reducing alcohol consumption, he said people should seek out environments and situations where there is less pressure to drink.

For anyone concerned about colorectal cancer symptoms, those aged 45-49 are eligible for the national screening program.

Younger Aussies are also urged to be vigilant for symptoms including blood in stool, changes to bowel habits and unexplained or unexpected weight loss or tiredness.

‘I’d encourage people, if you’re not feeling great, making sure that you’re conscious of your own health and symptoms is really important,’ Assoc. Prof Maddox said. 

‘Make sure you get regular health checks, make sure that all those sort of things are kept up to date.’

Australians have been told to learn the symptoms for colorectal cancer as the best defense against the condition (stock image)

The review, published in the journal Clinical Colorectal Cancer, looked at 12 studies on alcohol consumption and 13 on smoking.

Overall, the team found daily alcohol consumption in general increased the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer 39 percent compared to lower amounts.

On cigarette use, the researchers found a 39 per cent increased risk of colorectal cancer in people who smoked cigarettes regularly compared to non-smokers.

Current smokers were shown to have a 43 percent greater likelihood of developing a rectal tumor than those who never smoked, and colon tumors were linked to a 26 percent increased risk.