NHS Hampshire

Is drink sneaking up on you?

That’s the question being asked by the Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth PCT Cluster as it supports a brand new Change4life campaign which highlights that drinking slightly over the lower-risk alcohol guidelines can seriously impact long term health.

“We know that people are often unaware that drinking just a little bit more than recommended levels increases their risk from serious illness including heart disease, stroke and cancer,” Dr Ruth Milton, on behalf of the Directors of Public Health for the Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth PCT Cluster.

“It is easy to slip into the habit of having an extra one or two drinks each day, especially when drinking at home. The new campaign and its TV adverts highlight that regularly drinking around two large glasses of wine or two strong pints of beer a day can triple the risk of developing mouth cancer and double the risk of developing high blood pressure.”

A new national survey has revealed that most people in our region are unaware of the serious illnesses caused by drinking more than the NHS recommends. The survey highlighted that among residents in the South East region:

• 85% did not realise it increases the risk of developing breast cancer
• 68% did not realise it increases the risk of bowel cancer
• 61% did not realise it increases the chance of pancreatitis
• 60% did not realise it increases the risk of mouth, throat and neck cancer
• 31% did not realise it increases the risk of high blood pressure
• 37% did not realise it reduces fertility.

“The new online calculator available on the Change4Life website helps people to check how much they are drinking and work out whether they need to cut down. The website also has handy hints and tips on how to make changes – such as having booze free days, not drinking at home before going out, swapping to low-alcohol or alcohol free drinks and simply using smaller glasses,” Dr Milton explained.

Copies of the new ‘don’t let drink sneak up on you’ leaflet, which includes tips for handling alcohol on a night out, are being distributed across the region.

“It’s crucial we support people in our area to know how drinking too much poses risks to their health and how they can take control of their drinking,” Dr Milton concluded.

For more information including the online calculator and handy hints and tips visit the Change4Life website.

Contact us

NHS Hampshire
Headquarters
Omega House
112 Southampton Road
Eastleigh, Hants SO50 5PB

Telephone: 0238 062 7444
Fax: 0238 064 4789
Email: yourviewscount@hampshire.nhs.uk

Find us