Red Wine Lowers Lung Cancer Risk in Older Men,
Especially Smokers
Two percent lower lung cancer risk with each glass of
red wine consumed per month
Oct.
7, 2008 Moderate drinking of red wine may lower the risk of lung
cancer in older men, particularly if they are smokers, according to a
report in the October issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &
PreventionΈ a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
"An antioxidant component in red wine may be
protective of lung cancer, particularly among smokers," said Chun Chao,
Ph.D., a research scientist at Kaiser Permanente Department of Research
and Evaluation in Pasadena, California.
Chao analyzed data collected through the California
Men's Health Study, which linked clinical data from California's health
system with self-reported data from 84,170 men aged 45 to 69 years.
Researchers obtained demographics and lifestyle
data from surveys computed between 2000 and 2003, and identified 210
cases of lung cancer.
They measured the effect of beer, red wine, white
wine and liquor consumption on the risk of lung cancer. Adjustments were
made for age, race/ethnicity, education, income, body mass index,
history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema, and
smoking history.
Among the study participants, there was on average
a two percent lower lung cancer risk associated with each glass of red
wine consumed per month.
The most substantial risk reduction was among
smokers who drank one to two glasses of red wine per day. The
researchers reported a 60 percent reduced lung cancer risk in these men.
Researchers warned men to stop smoking as the best
way to reduce lung cancer risk; noting that even men who drank one to
two glasses of red wine per day still face higher lung cancer risk than
do non-smokers.
No clear associations with lung cancer were noted
for consumption of white wine, beer, or liquor.
"Red wine is known to contain high levels of
antioxidants. There is a compound called resveratrol that is very rich
in red wine because it is derived from the grape skin. This compound has
shown significant health benefits in preclinical studies," Chao said.
Chao said their findings should not be construed to
recommend heavy alcohol consumption.
The mission of the American Association for Cancer
Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the
world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to
advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 28,000
basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care
professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States
and 80 other countries.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Oct.
7, 2008 Moderate drinking of red wine may lower the risk of lung
cancer in older men, particularly if they are smokers, according to a
report in the October issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &
PreventionΈ a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.