Epidemiologic studies have reported that moderate alcohol consumption is inversely associated with the risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but sex-specific results are inconsistent.

A study by J. Hu et al in Canada examined the association between alcohol intake and the risk of RCC among men and women.

Mailed questionnaires were completed by 1138 newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed RCC cases and 5039 population controls between 1994 and 1997 in eight Canadian provinces. A food frequency questionnaire provided data on eating habits and alcohol consumption 2 years before data collection. Other information included socio-economic status, lifestyle habits, alcohol use, and diet.

The study found that total alcohol intake was inversely associated with RCC in men and in women; the OR for the highest intake group (> or =22.3 g/day among men and > or =7.9 g/day among women) versus the non-drinkers was 0.7 (95% CI, 0.5-0.9) for both sexes. Analysis of menopausal status produced ORs for the highest intake group versus the non-drinkers of 1.2 (95% CI, 0.7-2.1) among premenopausal women and 0.6 (95% CI, 0.4-0.9) among postmenopausal women. Smoking and obesity were not important effect modifiers.

The researchers conclude that moderate alcohol consumption may be associated with a decreased risk of RCC in men and in women (mainly postmenopausal women).

Source: Alcohol drinking and renal cell carcinoma in Canadian men and women. Hu J, Chen Y, Mao Y, Desmeules M, Mery L; Canadian Cancer Registries Epidemiology Research Group. 1: Cancer Detect Prev. 2008;32(1):7-14. Epub 2008 Apr 16.