To mark the final week of Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025, a group of 21 leading public health organisations is calling on the European Union to take decisive action against the ongoing threat of alcohol consumption as a cause of breast cancer.
In a joint statement, the European Health Alliance on Alcohol (EHAA) – a coalition of health experts and organisations working to reduce the burden of alcohol-related harm across Europe – urges EU policymakers to introduce mandatory health warnings on alcoholic beverages. These warnings, the coalition argues, are essential to better inform European citizens about the proven link between alcohol and cancer.
The launch of this call follows the publication of the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Handbook on Alcohol Policy and Cancer Prevention, presented earlier this month in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Europe.
In 2022 alone, around 374,000 women were diagnosed, contributing significantly to Europe’s overall cancer burden.
Alcohol is a known carcinogen and decades of robust science clearly link consumption to at least 7 types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Across the EU, alcohol consumption is estimated to cause 239,530 annual deaths, making it a major yet preventable driver of disease and mortality.
“Alcohol increases breast cancer risk, even in small amounts. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we call on the European Commission and EU member states to follow the WHO’s recommendations, dispel the dangerous myth that only heavy drinkers are affected, and to introduce science-based policies that ensure people know what’s hidden in their glass,” says Alba Gil, Policy Officer at the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL).
“Robust evidence demonstrates that consuming even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Raising awareness about the dangers posed by alcohol, and empowering people to make informed choices concerning their health, is therefore of utmost importance to sustain the fight against breast cancer – marking the 2025 edition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” says Prof. Jean-Yves Blay, Director of Public Policy at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).
“The link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer is scientifically undeniable. Yet awareness of this fact remains low across Europe. As a breast cancer surgeon and advocate for cancer prevention policy, I see every day the toll this disease takes on women, families, and communities, and I know that many of these cases could have been prevented. We need decisive, coordinated action at both EU and national levels to integrate alcohol-related cancer prevention into public health and cancer control strategies. Every step we take now to reduce alcohol-related cancer risks will save lives in the years to come,” says Dr Isabel Rubio, President-Elect and co-chair of Prevention, Early Detection and Screening Network at the European Cancer Organisation (ECO).
For more information, please contact:
- Ivonne Leenen, Communications Officer at the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL): [email protected]
- European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO): [email protected]
- Riccardo Moschetti, Senior Policy Officer, European Cancer Organisation: [email protected]
The European Health Alliance on Alcohol (EHAA) is a coalition of European health organisations representing over 1.7 million medical professionals and healthcare providers. We work tirelessly to reduce the burden of alcohol-related harm across Europe, and for European citizens, through evidence-based policy advocacy, professional education, and direct engagement with decision-makers. EHAA was formed to ensure our collective voice is heard, to highlight the serious health consequences of alcohol – such as various cancers, liver disease, and emergency department admissions – and to advocate for stronger, evidence-based public health policies.
The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) is a non-profit umbrella organisation bringing together 34 national and regional cancer societies advocating for improved cancer control and care across Europe. Transparency registry number: 19265592757-25
ESMO is the European Society for Medical Oncology. Representing over 45,000 members globally, ESMO is a reference for oncology education and information.
The European Cancer Organisation (ECO) is the largest non-profit, multi-professional federation in the European cancer community. It brings together hundreds of different professional societies and patient groups to advocate for more effective, efficient, and equitable cancer care.
You can find more posts on Breast Cancer Awareness Month on OncoDaily.