As the holiday season approaches, festive-themed parties are likely on the horizon and the BC Cancer Agency is educating the public on the link between drinking alcohol and cancer.
“We encourage people to try to select the smallest glass you see. If you’re drinking out of the smallest glass, you’re going to be drinking less than normal,” says registered dietitian Robin Arora-Desilet who also says to know your limit.
“After you have one alcoholic beverage, follow that up with a non-alcoholic beverage, maybe one or two non-alcoholic beverages.”
She adds that while we may not think there’s a big risk, we need to be aware of where it comes from.
“Even up to one standard drink a day, that’s been associated with head, neck, and breast cancers. As that alcohol intake increases, we start to get higher risks of colon cancer and even liver cancer.”
The BC Cancer Agency says the standard small serving of alcohol includes up to five ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer.
They advise drinkers to stay at their own pace and to not try and match what their peers are drinking as this will lower the risk.