Drinking not related to bladder cancer

Drinking alcohol does not increase the risk of bladder cancer. In fact, beer may actually reduce the risk. Researchers from the Boston University analysed the data from 10,125 subjects enrolled in the Framingham Heart Study. For each subject who developed bladder cancer during follow-up, the researchers selected five study participants who did not develop bladder cancer, but who were similar for other risk factors.During an average follow-up period of 27 years, 126 subjects developed bladder cancer. Total alcohol consumption was not significantly associated with bladder cancer risk nor was drinking wine or spirits. In contrast, beer seemed to reduce the risk. Subjects who consumed more than four drinks of beer per week were 50 per cent less likely to develop the malignancy than non-drinkers.The results support that there is no link between alcohol intake and bladder cancer, but further research, is needed to confirm that beer really has a protective effect.