Eunyoung Cho, an associate professor of dermatology and epidemiology at Brown University recently published their findings that white wine could be independently linked to greater risk of melanoma.
The festive season is upon us, meaning many of us will be indulging in a drink or two at office parties or family gatherings. But a new study suggests it might be worth steering clear of white wine; it could raise the risk of melanoma.
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes, which are pigment cells in the top layer of skin.
While melanoma is significantly less common than other skin cancers – such as basal cell carcinoma – it is much more deadly.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds and lamps is a primary risk factor for melanoma. Other risk factors include a family history of the disease, having fair skin, freckles, light hair, lots of moles, and having a weakened immune system. Now, Dr Cho and team suggest alcohol – particularly white wine – should be added to the list. Daily glass of white wine could raise melanoma risk by 13 percent
Alcohol is a known risk factor for a number of cancers, including head and neck cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and esophageal cancer.
For their study, Cho and colleagues analyzed the data of three large studies – including a total of 210,252 adults – to see if there might be a link between alcohol intake and risk of melanoma.
When looking at overall alcohol intake, the team found that each alcoholic beverage consumed daily was associated with a 14 percent greater risk of melanoma. However, when the researchers broke down the results by alcohol type, they found that it was only white wine that could be independently associated with melanoma; each daily glass of white wine was linked to a 13 percent greater risk of melanoma. According to the team, beer, red wine, and liquor had no significant impact on melanoma risk.
Findings support recommendations to limit alcohol intake limiting alcohol intake to a maximum of two drinks daily for men and one for women.
