A new Canadian study has found that consuming the equivalent of one pint of beer daily—approximately 21 alcohol units per week—significantly raises the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The research suggests that this level of alcohol intake increases the likelihood of diagnosis by 10 to 30 percent.

Currently, alcohol consumption is not officially recognized as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer, although the World Health Organization lists it as linked to seven other cancers, including those affecting the mouth, breast, and colon. Dr. Tim Naimi, a co-author of the study from the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria, stated that growing evidence supports the inclusion of pancreatic cancer among alcohol-related cancers. He described the new analysis as an important step toward this recognition.

In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service recommends adults limit their alcohol intake to no more than 14 units weekly, which roughly corresponds to one medium glass of wine or one pint of beer per day. However, surveys indicate that most Britons exceed these guidelines. Given the emerging data, experts hope that increased awareness of alcohol’s role in pancreatic cancer risk can help reduce incidence.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers, largely due to its subtle early symptoms that often delay diagnosis. Around 10,000 people in the UK die from the disease annually, equivalent to one death every hour. Survival rates are low, with nine out of ten patients dying within a year of diagnosis. While it can occur at any age, the disease is most frequently diagnosed in individuals over 80 years old. Other established risk factors include smoking and obesity.

The frequency of pancreatic cancer diagnoses has been rising steadily. Data from Cancer Research UK indicates an 18 percent increase since the early 1990s. The disease is projected to become the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK by next year, potentially surpassing breast cancer.

With pancreatic cancer’s increasing prevalence and poor prognosis, researchers emphasize the importance of identifying modifiable risk factors. Dr. Naimi stressed that the study’s findings “strongly support” adding pancreatic cancer to the list of cancers linked to alcohol consumption, an update that could have significant public health implications.