Special to the Sydenham Current
We are buying, drinking, and celebrating with alcohol more than ever before in our province.
The LCBO reported a record 5 billion dollars in sales for 2015. In the almost 90-year history of the LCBO, never before has $5 billion of Ontario citizens’ dollars gone towards the purchase of alcohol.
We reached a new ‘high’ last year, and it has had an effect on our wallets.
But have we spent enough time considering alcohol’s effect on our health?
April is Cancer Awareness Month.
Almost half of all Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime, and one in four Canadians will die from it.
Reducing your risk for cancer isn’t as difficult as you think, but you need to be informed: alcohol consumption is an important known cause of cancer.
Drinking more than 1-2 standard drinks per day can put you at risk for many types of cancer. Alcohol is a risk factor for developing cancers of the mouth, neck and throat, liver, breast, and colon. If you combine alcohol with tobacco use, your risk for cancer of the mouth, neck and throat increases even more.
Lower your Risk.
If you do not drink, do not start.
The ‘Canada’s Low Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines’ resource shows you exactly how much alcohol is recommended for men and women, and includes safer drinking tips that are easy to use.
– Women: no more than 2 standard drinks/day most days; no more than 10 drinks per week.
– Men: no more than 3 standard drinks/day most days; no more than 15 drinks per week.
– Plan at least 2 non-drinking days every week to avoid developing a habit.
– Set limits and stick to them.
– Drink slowly: no more than 2 drinks in 3 hours.
– For every drink of alcohol, have one non-alcoholic drink.
– Eat before, and when you drink.
– No alcohol is safest if pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or about to breastfeed.
Go to www.rethinkyourdrinking.ca for additional info on alcohol and your health.
It is important for people to know that low-risk drinking supports a healthy lifestyle.
For more Information please contact the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit at 519.352.7270.
