Cancer Council Victoria finds more young women risking health by binge drinking

One in three Victorian women has revealed they struggle to cut back on their drinking and experts warn the health risks are more serious than most realise.

Young Victorian women are being urged to curb their binge drinking after new research revealed a spike in their dangerous use of alcohol.

Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) says its Shape of Australia survey found binge drinking had increased with one in three Victorian women now admitting they do not feel confident cutting back.

Alarmingly, it also found many of the 500 Victorian adults who were asked about their alcohol consumption were stil not aware excess drinking increased the risk of cancer.

One in five people in the survey admitted they drank alcohol at least once a month, while 39 per cent regularly had a drink most weeks. The Victorians in the survey were aged between 18 and 65 years.

It comes as new research on Thursday revealed nationally that compared to men, women who are drinking at dangerous levels are significantly younger with higher levels of psychological distress, mental health conditions and more likely to be unmarried.

The Flinders University-led study found over 300,000 Australian women are now regularly binge drinking at high-risk levels – consuming 11 or more standard drinks in one sitting at least once per month.

It is the first time in Australia researchers have examined the prevalence and characteristics of women who drink at very high-risk levels - and compare it with men.

More young Victorian women are binge drinking and they admit to not feeling confident cutting back.

CCV Alcohol Programs Manager and dietitian Alison McAleese wants young women to know there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

“The more you drink, the higher your cancer risk,” Ms McAleese said.

She is frustrated, she said, that the message about alcohol’s link to cancer is not getting through.

“The scientific evidence is over 30 years old, but people are still unaware that there is a risk of cancer from consuming alcohol,” Ms McAleese said. “Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer including cancer in the mouth, throat, liver, and common cancers, like breast and bowel.”

She said there were a number of reasons there had been a rise in risky drinking among young women in Victoria over the last two years.

“They are the highest consumers of pre-mixed drink products and sales of these drinks have really increased,” Ms McAleese said. “They may think these products are healthy, but they are not.”

Cancer Council Victoria found more young women than men are binge drinking and engaging in other risky habits.

She says alcohol companies are also marketing some products specifically towards young women, which she said was contributing to the problem.

“We are keen to see the loophole closed so that alcohol companies can’t make claims around carbohydrates and sugar on labels,” Ms McAleese said.

“They are very prominent on drinks that are targeted to women and also appeal to that diet-conscious customer.”

She said another contributor to the risky behaviour in young women was an increase in vaping and the use of illicit drugs.

“We don’t know what the broader social things are that’s causing it,” Ms McAleese said. “Because it’s not happening with young men, it’s just young women.”

The benefits of cutting back on alcohol, Ms McAleese said, include a better night’s sleep, better mood and also energy levels.

Ms McAleese said Dry July was a great circuit break for those wanting to cut back.

Cancer Council Victoria also recommends:

• Plan alcohol-free days and social activities that do not revolve around alcohol

• Set a limit and stick to it

• Swap to low-alcohol or no-alcohol products

• Alternate between alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic options

For more details visit www.cancervic.org.au/alcohol for more information