New Study Says Alcohol-Deaths on Rise in UK

A new study published by Public Health England claims around 10 million UK adults are putting their health at risk by drinking too much alcohol.

These health risks include bowel and breast cancer as well as heart disease.

This news arrives despite other figures showing a fall in the number deaths directly attributable to alcoholism such as those due to alcohol poisoning and liver disease.

The study is a sombre reminder that too many of us simply continue to drink too much alcohol.

The study also highlights that although the number of deaths directly attributable to alcohol has fallen, the number of deaths where alcohol was a contributory factor has increased.

The hard and fast figures

Between 2013-2014, there was a 1% increase in the number of deaths linked to drinking alcohol.

This increased from 22,779 deaths in 2013 up to 22,967 in 2014.

Deaths when alcohol was a contributory factory

Here’s a list of some of the causes of death linked to alcohol consumption:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Bowel cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cancer of the oesophagus
• Heart disease

What the experts have to say

Professor Kevin Fenton of Public Health England said: ‘There are over 10 million people in England drinking alcohol at increasingly harmful levels putting them at risk of conditions such as cancer.’

‘For women who drink, they are 20% more likely to get breast cancer than those that don’t.

‘Alcohol harms individuals, families and communities and it’s crucial that, alongside effective local interventions and treatment for those that need it, we look more widely at what affects drinking behaviour in this country.

‘Public Health England will soon be providing a report to Government on how we can reduce the harms caused by alcohol.

Izzi Seccombe, a spokesperson for Local Government said: ‘While it is a positive trend that alcohol-related deaths in some parts of the country have fallen, in others there has been an increase.

‘One of the ways to tackle this issue is for a public health objective to be included in the Licensing Act.

‘This would give councils the power to limit the opening of late-night premises in areas where there are particular concerns about the impact of alcohol on public health.’

Sarah Toule of the World Cancer Research Fund said: ‘About 24,000 cancer cases could be avoided every year in the UK if everyone stopped drinking alcohol.

‘We recommend that, when it comes to cancer prevention, people avoid alcohol as much as possible, as any amount increases the risk of cancer.’

Getting help

If you or a loved one suffer from alcoholism, do not suffer in silence. Rehab 4 Alcoholism offers alcohol rehabilitation assistance. Contact us today on 0800 111 4108 to discover your treatment options.

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