Drinks industry accused of downplaying 'alcohol-cancer risk'
Conclusion
This qualitative analysis aimed to determine the accuracy of health information circulated by the alcohol industry on the links between alcohol and cancer.
It found the industry and affiliated organisations use three main approaches:
denial of the link between alcohol and cancer
misinterpretation of the risk
distraction by focusing on other risk factors
This analysis highlights how these strategies could be detrimental to public health.
Of course, it's possible, given this data was collected in 2016, that some of the websites and documents analysed by the researchers have since been updated.
Regardless, the researchers suggest their analysis has significant implications for both clinicians and policymakers.
They call for a full-scale investigation into how the alcohol industry represents the link between alcohol and cancer.
Current UK recommendations on alcohol advise that men and women drink no more than 14 units a week, with one unit equal to 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol.
Links To The Headlines Drinks industry downplaying alcohol-cancer link – report. The Guardian, September 7 2017
Alcohol industry 'playing down' risk of cancer by using tobacco industry tactics. Sky News, September 8 2017
Links To Science Petticrew M, Hessaei NM, Knai C, et al. How alcohol industry organisations mislead the public about alcohol and cancer. Drug and Alcohol Review. Published online September 7 2017
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cancer Source Type: news
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