Rise in cancer rates 'caused by 24-hour drinking'
In the past few years, 24-hour drinking has been named as the major cause of the rise in liver disease, but now experts are claiming that it is also a significant factor in the increase in cancer incidences.
New figures released by the Liberal Democrats show that over 5,000 people a year are now being diagnosed with oral cancer in the UK - a rise of over 50 per cent since 1997.
Don Foster, the Liberal Democrat spokesman, told the Daily Mail that the increase is "appalling" and is evidence that 24-hour drinking is having an impact on the health of the nation.
"Excessive drinking has been on the rise for years and these shocking figures show how dramatically the health problems of booze Britain are escalating. Ministers cannot turn a blind eye to the terrible problems alcohol is causing," he told health insurance customers.
According to the figures, the dramatic rise in the number of breast cancer cases being diagnosed in the last 12 years - from 28,618 to 38,048 - is directly linked with an increase in the amounts of alcohol being consumed.
Mr Foster told health cover holders that as excessive alcohol consumption increases the chances of a person developing cancer by 60 per cent, it is time that authorities curbed the activity.
"The government's failure to cut alcohol consumption now is storing up problems for later. The appalling rise of alcohol-related health problems will only continue unless we crack down on reckless retailers and irresponsible drink offers," he told the newspaper.
Alcohol Concern chief executive Don Shenker added that ignorance may be one reason why cancer incidence continues to rise in line with the cheapness and availability of alcohol.
"Many people are not aware of the connection between alcohol and cancer, yet it can be a major contributor or cause of the disease," he concluded.
Posted by Louise Jones
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