04.02.2025 - A new study published in the European Journal of Cancer has shed light on the role of modifiable lifestyle factors in cancer incidence in Norway. Conducted by researchers from the Cancer Registry of Norway and other institutions, the study estimates that 41% of all cancers diagnosed between 2016 and 2020 were attributable to preventable risk factors such as tobacco use, ultraviolet radiation exposure, overweight and obesity, and alcohol consumption.
While tobacco smoking and UV exposure emerged as the leading preventable causes, the study also highlights alcohol consumption as a significant contributor to cancer risk. According to the researchers, alcohol consumption accounted for 2.3% of all new cancer cases in Norway during the study period. This translates to approximately 575 cases per year that could have been prevented if alcohol consumption were eliminated.
Alcohol’s impact on cancer risk
The study found that alcohol increases the risk of several types of cancer, with the strongest associations observed for cancers of the colon, rectum, breast, liver, and oral cavity. Notably, even low levels of alcohol consumption were linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in women, aligning with previous international research that has challenged the idea of a 'safe' level of drinking when it comes to cancer.
Compared to other risk factors, alcohol’s contribution was lower than that of tobacco (16.6%) or UV exposure (11.5%), but its role remains significant. The study underscores that alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), meaning there is strong scientific evidence that it causes cancer.
Public health implications
The study’s findings align with broader global research that has called for increased awareness of alcohol as a cancer risk factor. The researchers emphasize the importance of public health strategies that address alcohol consumption, along with efforts to reduce tobacco use, UV exposure, and obesity rates.
Norway has a long history of evidence-based alcohol policies, including high taxation, advertising restrictions, and a government-controlled retail monopoly, resulting in one of the lowest levels of alcohol consumption in Europe. This is a key factor in explaining the relatively lower number of alcohol-related cancer cases compared to countries with higher alcohol intake. However, awareness of the alcohol-cancer link remains relatively low, both in Norway and globally.Â
A preventable risk
One of the key takeaways from the study is that a substantial proportion of cancer cases in Norway—more than 10,000 cases per year—could be prevented through changes in lifestyle and public health interventions. While alcohol was not the primary focus of the research, its findings reinforce existing evidence that reducing alcohol consumption is a crucial step in cancer prevention.
The full study, Cancers Attributed to Modifiable Factors in Norway (2016–2020), was published in the European Journal of Cancer and provides a detailed analysis of how lifestyle choices impact cancer incidence in the country.