Alcohol and breast cancer. WHO is sounding the alarm

In 2020, alcohol was estimated to cause 39,200 new cases of breast cancer in the WHO European region.

The harm caused by alcohol is not abstract. These may include heart and liver diseases. The baby may be exposed to alcohol before birth. It may be anxiety and depression. Or it could be a woman who develops breast cancer who has never been informed about the risks of alcohol, commented Dr. Carina Ferreira-Borges, WHO/Europe Regional Advisor on Alcohol.

New WHO digital platform – support for doctors and patients

In response to the disturbing data, WHO/Europe has launched a new digital platform with a built-in AI assistant. The tool is intended to help healthcare professionals talk to patients about the link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk. Thanks to this, doctors and nurses will gain access to reliable, scientifically proven information and practical tools that will make it easier for them to identify and discuss alcohol-related risks.

Screening and short interventions – an effective weapon in the fight against addiction

WHO reminds that screening and brief interventions are proven methods that can help detect risky behaviors before more serious health problems occur.

Simple questions asked during a doctor's visit can identify people at risk for the harmful effects of drinking alcohol. Short interventions allow patients to understand how alcohol affects their health and motivate them to change their lifestyle.

Barriers in talking about alcohol – time for changes

Unfortunately, the topic of alcohol is often omitted during medical consultations. Healthcare workers lack the time, training or confidence to raise this issue. They often do not know how to talk about alcohol without offending the patient or where to look for current information.

The new WHO platform aims to change this - it offers, among others: the world-renowned AUDIT questionnaire, interactive educational tools and AI support that tells you how to start a conversation and what materials to use.

Artificial intelligence in healthcare

The new AI assistant from WHO is a response to the growing interest of patients in artificial intelligence in the context of health. Unlike popular search engines, the WHO tool is based only on proven scientific data and always indicates the source of the information.

Thanks to this, both doctors and patients can be sure that they receive reliable and up-to-date advice.