Long-term heavy drinking almost doubles rectal cancer risk compared with having one drink a week or less, a study led by the US National Cancer Institute suggests.

Published in Cancer, the study classified participants as never, former or current drinkers, then as light, moderate or heavy drinkers based on sex-specific US dietary guidelines.

Over a median of 20 years’ follow-up, there were 1679 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases, with a 25% higher risk among drinkers averaging 14 drinks or more a week over their lifetime, compared with those who averaged less than one drink a week.

For rectal cancer, their risk was 95% higher.