Alcohol consumption increased the risk of prostate cancer: A Finnish pooled population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND: Modifiable risk factors for the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) have not been convincingly established. Consequently, the evidence on the relationship between alcohol consumption and the incidence of PCa has remained inconclusive. Our aim was to assess the association between alcohol consumption and the incidence of PCa. METHODS: We used data from six Finnish population-based cohort studies with data collected between 1972 and 2015 that included a total of 82,570 male participants. Information on participants' alcohol consumption, BMI, height, smoking status, education, and physical activity were harmonized and categorized. Regarding alcohol consumption, the men were categorized into non-users and into light, moderate, and heavy users. Bayesian hierarchical Poisson regression was used to model the association between risk factors and PCa incidence. FINDINGS: Alcohol consumption, among light, moderate, and heavy consumers, was associated with an increased incidence of PCa when compared to non-drinkers. The hazard ratio (HR) of PCa incidence was 1.18 (95% CI 1.02 - 1.36) for light alcohol consumers, 1.20 (95% CI 1.03 - 1.40) for moderate consumers, and 1.32 (95% CI 1.08 - 1.60) for heavy consumers. Additionally, there was some evidence of a dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and the incidence of PCa. None of the other risk factors studied were significantly associated with the incidence of PCa. INTERPRETATION: Our results provide further evidence of an association between alcohol consumption and an increased incidence of PCa. This potential relationship in the etiology of prostate cancer may offer essential information for preventive efforts.