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Fact checkChecked 2026-09-29

Is Alcohol a Cause of Pancreatic Cancer? Drinking Amounts, Other Causes, and the Latest Treatments, Checked Against National Data and Studies

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In 2024, 41,235 people in Japan died of pancreatic cancer. Among causes of cancer death, it ranks third, after lung cancer and colorectal cancer (National Cancer Center Japan, Cancer Statistics).

Pancreatic cancer is hard to detect and hard to cure. For people diagnosed in 2018, the 5-year relative survival rate was 13.2%, far below the rate for all cancers combined (64.8%).

“People who drink alcohol are more likely to get pancreatic cancer” is a common saying. The pancreas is also an organ that can become inflamed (pancreatitis) from heavy drinking.

In this article, we check the following against national statistics and published studies:

  • What national and international assessments say about alcohol and pancreatic cancer
  • The relationship between the amount you drink (grams of pure alcohol) and risk
  • What is known about causes of pancreatic cancer other than alcohol
  • Whether pancreatic cancer is increasing
  • Efforts to find it early, and the new treatments as of 2026

Conclusion

  • The link between alcohol and pancreatic cancer is not yet at the level of “convincing.” The international assessment (WCRF) is “limited-suggestive,” and that applies only to heavy drinking of more than about 45 g of pure alcohol a day (about 3 drinks). The National Cancer Center Japan’s assessment for Japanese people is “insufficient data.”
  • A 2025 study that pooled 30 follow-up studies (about 2.49 million people) found that the more people drank, the more the risk rose, bit by bit. People who drank 60 g or more a day had 1.32 times the risk of people who drank almost nothing. The rise in risk was clear from 15 g or more a day for women and 30 g or more for men. On the other hand, no link was seen in the Asian studies alone.
  • Heavy drinking causes chronic pancreatitis, and chronic pancreatitis raises the risk of pancreatic cancer. The effect of alcohol overlaps with this “route through pancreatitis.”
  • Clearer links than alcohol are found for smoking (“convincing” in the National Cancer Center Japan’s assessment) and diabetes (“probable”). Obesity, a family history of pancreatic cancer, genetic changes (such as in BRCA), chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic cysts (such as IPMN) are also known risk factors.
  • Deaths from pancreatic cancer rose from 16,613 in 1996 to 41,235 in 2024. Unlike lung cancer, the death rate comparing people of the same age has also kept rising, up 35% for women since 1996. Meanwhile, alcohol consumption per adult has fallen about 26% from its peak in fiscal 1992, so alcohol alone cannot explain the increase.
  • Treatment has been changing over the past few years. A Japanese trial showed that giving chemotherapy before surgery extends survival (median 26.6 months to 37.0 months). In August 2026, the oral RAS inhibitor “daraxonrasib” was approved in the US, based on a trial that roughly doubled survival in previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer (not approved in Japan).
Pancreatic cancer deaths and age-adjusted death rate in Japan (1958–2024)Pancreatic cancer deaths rose from 1,620 in 1958 to 41,235 in 2024. The age-adjusted death rate rose from 12.4 in 1996 to 13.9 in 2024 for men and from 7.2 to 9.7 for women, and has not fallen.Pancreatic cancer deaths (Japan, people)010k20k30k40k50k1958: 1,620 deaths1959: 1,775 deaths1960: 1,975 deaths1961: 2,079 deaths1962: 2,330 deaths1963: 2,434 deaths1964: 2,786 deaths1965: 3,066 deaths1966: 3,255 deaths1967: 3,585 deaths1968: 3,800 deaths1969: 4,083 deaths1970: 4,399 deaths1971: 4,540 deaths1972: 4,930 deaths1973: 5,088 deaths1974: 5,402 deaths1975: 5,635 deaths1976: 5,929 deaths1977: 6,345 deaths1978: 6,807 deaths1979: 7,210 deaths1980: 7,835 deaths1981: 8,252 deaths1982: 8,776 deaths1983: 9,261 deaths1984: 9,485 deaths1985: 10,421 deaths1986: 11,166 deaths1987: 12,025 deaths1988: 12,555 deaths1989: 12,988 deaths1990: 13,318 deaths1991: 13,605 deaths1992: 14,147 deaths1993: 14,713 deaths1994: 14,990 deaths1995: 16,019 deaths1996: 16,613 deaths1997: 17,006 deaths1998: 17,643 deaths1999: 18,654 deaths2000: 19,094 deaths2001: 19,397 deaths2002: 20,137 deaths2003: 21,148 deaths2004: 22,260 deaths2005: 22,927 deaths2006: 23,366 deaths2007: 24,634 deaths2008: 25,976 deaths2009: 26,791 deaths2010: 28,017 deaths2011: 28,829 deaths2012: 29,916 deaths2013: 30,673 deaths2014: 31,717 deaths2015: 31,868 deaths2016: 33,485 deaths2017: 34,229 deaths2018: 35,390 deaths2019: 36,356 deaths2020: 37,677 deaths2021: 38,579 deaths2022: 39,468 deaths2023: 40,175 deaths2024: 41,235 deaths1958: 1,620 deaths1996: 16,613 deaths2024: 41,235 deathsDotted line = 19961960198020002020Pancreatic cancer age-adjusted death rate (per 100,000)04812161958 men: 3.41959 men: 3.51960 men: 4.11961 men: 4.21962 men: 4.51963 men: 4.61964 men: 5.31965 men: 5.61966 men: 5.71967 men: 6.41968 men: 6.81969 men: 7.11970 men: 7.41971 men: 7.61972 men: 8.01973 men: 8.01974 men: 8.31975 men: 8.01976 men: 8.61977 men: 8.91978 men: 9.21979 men: 9.51980 men: 10.01981 men: 10.31982 men: 10.71983 men: 10.71984 men: 10.81985 men: 11.61986 men: 11.81987 men: 12.51988 men: 12.21989 men: 12.41990 men: 12.11991 men: 12.21992 men: 12.11993 men: 12.31994 men: 12.11995 men: 12.71996 men: 12.41997 men: 12.31998 men: 12.51999 men: 12.72000 men: 12.42001 men: 12.22002 men: 12.12003 men: 12.32004 men: 12.62005 men: 12.62006 men: 12.52007 men: 12.62008 men: 12.92009 men: 12.92010 men: 13.02011 men: 13.02012 men: 13.32013 men: 13.32014 men: 13.32015 men: 12.82016 men: 13.32017 men: 13.22018 men: 13.42019 men: 13.32020 men: 13.62021 men: 13.82022 men: 13.82023 men: 13.72024 men: 13.9Men 1996: 12.413.91958 women: 2.31959 women: 2.51960 women: 2.51961 women: 2.61962 women: 2.91963 women: 3.11964 women: 3.31965 women: 3.61966 women: 3.81967 women: 3.91968 women: 3.91969 women: 4.31970 women: 4.51971 women: 4.41972 women: 4.71973 women: 4.71974 women: 4.81975 women: 5.11976 women: 5.01977 women: 5.11978 women: 5.41979 women: 5.51980 women: 5.81981 women: 5.91982 women: 6.11983 women: 6.31984 women: 6.21985 women: 6.51986 women: 6.81987 women: 6.91988 women: 7.21989 women: 7.11990 women: 7.11991 women: 6.91992 women: 7.01993 women: 7.01994 women: 6.91995 women: 7.01996 women: 7.21997 women: 7.11998 women: 7.01999 women: 7.32000 women: 7.22001 women: 7.22002 women: 7.22003 women: 7.42004 women: 7.52005 women: 7.52006 women: 7.42007 women: 7.62008 women: 7.92009 women: 8.02010 women: 8.22011 women: 8.42012 women: 8.42013 women: 8.42014 women: 8.52015 women: 8.42016 women: 8.62017 women: 8.72018 women: 8.92019 women: 9.12020 women: 9.22021 women: 9.32022 women: 9.42023 women: 9.52024 women: 9.7Women 1996: 7.29.71960198020002020
Created from National Cancer Center Japan, Cancer Statistics (national cancer mortality data based on Vital Statistics). Age-adjusted death rates use the 1985 Japanese model population. The dotted line marks 1996.
Year Deaths Age-adjusted death rate (men) Age-adjusted death rate (women)
1958 1,620 3.4 2.3
1975 5,635 8.0 5.1
1985 10,421 11.6 6.5
1996 16,613 12.4 7.2
2005 22,927 12.6 7.5
2015 31,868 12.8 8.4
2024 41,235 13.9 9.7

(Age-adjusted death rates are per 100,000 people.)

  • 66% of people who die of pancreatic cancer are 75 or older (2024), and the aging of the population is a major reason for the rise in numbers.
  • However, the age-adjusted death rate, which removes the effect of age differences, is also rising. From 1996 to 2024 it rose 12% for men and 35% for women. Over the same period, the age-adjusted death rate for lung cancer fell 27% (our article on tobacco and lung cancer).
  • The number of people newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer also rose, from 40,617 in 2016 to 47,540 in 2023 in the National Cancer Registry, and the age-adjusted incidence rate rose from 14.1 to 15.1.
Age-specific death rate (per 100,000) 1996 2024 Change
Men, ages 50–54 12.7 9.4 −26%
Men, ages 70–74 70.9 85.6 +21%
Men, ages 80–84 128.5 156.8 +22%
Women, ages 50–54 5.6 6.6 +17%
Women, ages 70–74 40.0 59.7 +49%
Women, ages 80–84 84.7 118.9 +40%

(Calculated from National Cancer Center Japan, Cancer Statistics.)

Alcohol Consumption Is Falling

According to the National Tax Agency’s “Sake no Shiori” (Alcohol Handbook), alcohol consumption per adult peaked at 101.8 liters in fiscal 1992 and fell to 75.4 liters in fiscal 2022. The smoking rate among men has also fallen sharply.

Even so, the death rate from pancreatic cancer keeps rising, so the explanation “pancreatic cancer increased because people drink too much” does not match the national figures. What is mainly driving the increase is not clear at present. Along with population aging, several factors are thought to overlap, including diabetes and obesity (discussed below) and the fact that cancers are now found more easily by imaging tests.

Alcohol and Pancreatic Cancer: National and International Assessments

Assessing body Verdict
National Cancer Center Japan (assessment of studies on Japanese people, May 2026 edition) Drinking and pancreatic cancer: insufficient data (colorectal, liver, and esophageal cancers are “convincing”)
WCRF / AICR (World Cancer Research Fund) Limited-suggestive (may raise risk). This applies to drinking more than about 45 g a day (about 3 drinks); for smaller amounts, “no conclusion can be drawn”
IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) Alcohol itself is “carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).” However, the evidence for a link with pancreatic cancer has been described as “scarce and inconsistent”
MHLW “Guidelines on Alcohol Consumption with Health Considerations” (2024) In its table of “drinking amounts that raise risk” by disease, pancreatic cancer is not listed

Alcohol is considered a “convincing” cause of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon and rectum, and breast. For pancreatic cancer, no such conclusion has been reached yet. The types of alcohol and links with other cancers are summarized in our article on types of alcohol and cancer.

Drinking Amount and Risk: What Studies Show

Pooled Studies Worldwide

Study Subjects Findings
Naudin 2025 (30 follow-up studies pooled) About 2.49 million people, 10,067 pancreatic cancer cases Compared with people who drank almost nothing (0.1–5 g a day): 1.12 times at 30–60 g a day, 1.32 times at 60 g or more. Risk rises 3% for every 10 g a day. Same trend in non-smokers. No link in Asian studies
Genkinger 2009 (14 follow-up studies pooled) 2,187 pancreatic cancer cases At 30 g or more a day, 1.22 times the risk of non-drinkers
Tramacere 2010 (summary of 32 studies) ― Fewer than 3 drinks a day: 0.92 times (no increase). 3 or more drinks: 1.22 times
Lucenteforte 2012 (10 case-control studies pooled) 5,585 pancreatic cancer cases No link at 4 drinks a day or fewer. 9 or more drinks: 1.6 times
Wang 2016 (summary of 19 follow-up studies) About 4.21 million people No link at light to moderate drinking. 1.15 times at heavy drinking

In every study, the result is that risk barely changes at low amounts, and is about 1.1 to 1.3 times higher in people who drink a lot. To the question “does risk rise the more you drink?”, the answer is “yes” in the heavy-drinking range and “unclear” in the light to moderate range.

Studies on Japanese People

Study Subjects Findings
JACC Study (Lin 2002) About 110,000 people in 45 areas nationwide No link between drinking and death from pancreatic cancer
JPHC Study (Okita 2022) About 96,000 people, 598 pancreatic cancer cases Based on drinking amount at the start of the survey, no link in either men or women. No link even when split by whether the person’s face turns red. However, among men whose drinking habits had not changed after 5 years, drinkers (1–299 g a week) had 1.73 times the risk of non-drinkers
Takayama Study (Nakamura 2011) About 30,000 residents of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture No link between drinking and death from pancreatic cancer (smoking was linked in women)

Studies of Japanese people have not shown a clear link. This is why the National Cancer Center Japan says “insufficient data.” The worldwide pooled study (Naudin 2025) also saw no link in Asia. The authors point out that few people in the Asian studies drank heavily.

Differences by Type of Alcohol

  • For beer and spirits (whisky, shochu, etc.), risk rose slightly the more people drank, and no link was seen for wine (Naudin 2025).
  • Another pooled study found 1.43 times the risk in people who drank a lot of spirits (Wang 2016).

However, this does not mean “wine is safe.” Because what people eat with it, how much they drink, and whether they smoke also differ by type of alcohol, it is considered difficult to isolate the effect of the type alone.

Guide to Pure Alcohol Amounts

The national drinking guidelines recommend thinking about the amount of alcohol in grams of pure alcohol.

Pure alcohol (g) = amount of drink (ml) × alcohol content (%) ÷ 100 × 0.8

Drink Amount Pure alcohol
Beer (5%) 1 medium bottle or 1 long can (500 ml) 20 g
Nihonshu (sake) (15%) 1 go (180 ml) About 22 g
Wine (12%) 1 glass (120 ml) About 12 g
Shochu (25%) 100 ml 20 g
Canned chuhai (7%) 350 ml About 20 g
Whisky (43%) 1 double (60 ml) About 21 g

A table of the pure alcohol in shochu served with hot water or cold water is in our article on shochu and health.

  • In the studies, the rise in pancreatic cancer risk was clear at 15 g or more a day for women and 30 g or more for men (Naudin 2025).
  • WCRF’s benchmark is drinking more than about 45 g a day (a little over 2 long cans of beer, or a little over 2 go of nihonshu).
  • The national guidelines define 40 g or more of pure alcohol a day for men and 20 g or more for women as “amounts that raise the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.” Not exceeding this amount is one benchmark, not only for pancreatic cancer.

Why Alcohol Is Said to Be Bad for the Pancreas

  • Chronic pancreatitis: Heavy drinking is a main cause of chronic pancreatitis. When researchers looked at people who developed pancreatic cancer 2 or more years after a pancreatitis diagnosis, those with a history of pancreatitis had 2.71 times the risk (Duell 2012, 10 case-control studies pooled).
  • Acetaldehyde: A substance produced when the body breaks down alcohol, which is carcinogenic.
  • Overlap with smoking: People who drink a lot of alcohol often smoke too, and the effects of both are thought to add up.

It is certain that pancreatitis raises the risk of pancreatic cancer, but the share of all pancreatitis cases that lead to pancreatic cancer is not large. The study above estimated that even if pancreatitis could be prevented, it would reduce pancreatic cancer by only about 1.3%.

What About People Whose Faces Turn Red?

Many Japanese people have a constitution in which the face turns red when drinking and acetaldehyde is hard to break down. This constitution is strongly linked to the risk of esophageal cancer, but in Japan’s JPHC Study, no link between drinking and pancreatic cancer was seen even when people were split by whether their faces turned red (Okita 2022).

Causes Other Than Alcohol

Here we list what studies have found about causes of pancreatic cancer. The multiples compare the likelihood of developing (or dying of) pancreatic cancer with people who do not have that factor.

Factor National and other assessments What studies show
Smoking National Cancer Center Japan: convincing Current smokers have 1.8 times the risk of non-smokers, and risk rises even at small numbers of cigarettes a day (summary of 78 studies, Lugo 2018). In 10 Japanese follow-up studies: 1.59 times for men, 1.81 times for women. In men, risk fell to the level of non-smokers 5 years after quitting (Koyanagi 2019)
Secondhand smoke National Cancer Center Japan: insufficient data 1.20 times in a summary of 14 studies. Risk rises with daily or routine exposure (Wang 2024)
Diabetes National Cancer Center Japan: probable 1.94 times in a summary of 35 follow-up studies. Risk is highest within 1 year of a diabetes diagnosis (Ben 2011). People with higher fasting blood sugar are more likely to die of pancreatic cancer (Japanese study, Nagai 2017)
Obesity WCRF: body fat is convincing. National Cancer Center Japan: possible in men In 9 Japanese follow-up studies, men with a BMI of 30 or more had 1.71 times the risk (Koyanagi 2018). Unclear in women
Family history ― About 4.6 times with 1 parent, sibling, or child with pancreatic cancer, and about 32 times with 3 or more (review by Poh 2026)
Genetic changes ― People with changes in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 have higher risk. It is estimated that genetic factors are involved in about 10–20% of people with pancreatic cancer (Limijadi 2024)
Chronic pancreatitis ― About 2.7 times (Duell 2012, above)
Acute pancreatitis ― Pancreatic cancer is often found within 2 years after acute pancreatitis (including cases where the cancer itself caused the pancreatitis). Even after 5 or more years, 1.71 times (summary of 61 studies, Lee 2026)
Pancreatic cysts, IPMN ― Sac-like lesions inside the pancreas. Some IPMN (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm) progress to cancer, so they are monitored with regular tests
Tall height WCRF: probable ―
Red meat and processed meat WCRF: limited-suggestive. National Cancer Center Japan: insufficient data 1.19 times for every 50 g a day increase in processed meat (Larsson 2012). Red meat was linked only in men (same study). Results differ depending on how studies are pooled
  • Comparing multiples, you can see that smoking (about 1.8 times), diabetes (about 1.9 times), and family history (about 4.6 times) are larger than heavy drinking (1.1 to 1.3 times).
  • Diabetes is a “cause,” but it can also be the first sign of pancreatic cancer. The Cancer Information Service also explains that the sudden onset or sudden worsening of diabetes can lead to the discovery of pancreatic cancer.

Finding It Early

With pancreatic cancer, survival differs greatly depending on how far it has spread when found.

Spread at diagnosis (diagnosed in 2018) 5-year relative survival
Confined to the pancreas (localized) 42.4%
Spread to nearby lymph nodes, etc. (regional) 15.9%
Metastasized to distant organs (distant) 2.2%

(National Cancer Center Japan, Cancer Information Service, “Pancreas”; National Cancer Registry.)

  • Because pancreatic cancer is not a cancer that many people get, screening everyone without symptoms is not recommended in Japan or abroad (review by Poh 2026). Pancreatic cancer is also not included in the national “cancer screening” program.
  • The 2025 clinical practice guidelines of the Japan Pancreas Society newly added a “suggestion” that people with genetic changes that make pancreatic cancer more likely, and people from familial pancreatic cancer families, receive detailed examinations and follow-up with pancreatic cancer in mind (the strength of recommendation is “weak”). Tests for people without symptoms are not covered by insurance, and it is reported that having MRI (MRCP) and endoscopic ultrasound twice a year comes to about 50,000 yen a year out of pocket.
  • In Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, the “Onomichi method” has been used since 2007: family doctors refer people with diabetes, a family history, pancreatic cysts, and the like to specialist hospitals for detailed examinations (endoscopic ultrasound, etc.), and many early-stage pancreatic cancers have been found. The doctor in charge reported that 5-year survival reached about 20%. The 2025 guidelines also say such regional efforts “may be expected to improve prognosis,” while noting that their effect needs to be verified.

If you have symptoms of concern (abdominal or back pain, weight loss, jaundice), if diabetes has suddenly appeared or suddenly worsened, or if someone in your family has had pancreatic cancer, please consult your family doctor.

New Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer (as of September 2026)

Treatment What it is and what is known Status in Japan
Chemotherapy before and after surgery For resectable pancreatic cancer, using 2 courses of gemcitabine + S-1 before surgery raised median survival from 26.6 months to 37.0 months, compared with going straight to surgery (Prep-02/JSAP05, Japanese trial of 364 people, Unno 2026). S-1 after surgery raised 5-year survival from 24.4% with gemcitabine to 44.1% (JASPAC 01, Uesaka 2016) Standard treatment (adjuvant therapy before and after surgery, plus resection)
NALIRIFOX regimen (liposomal irinotecan + oxaliplatin + 5-FU + leucovorin) As first treatment for pancreatic cancer with distant metastasis, median survival rose from 9.2 months to 11.1 months compared with gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel (NAPOLI 3, 770 people, Wainberg 2023) Newly listed in the 2025 guidelines. Application to add first-line use filed in December 2025
RAS inhibitor daraxonrasib (oral drug) A drug targeting RAS gene changes, found in more than 90% of pancreatic cancers. In 500 people with previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer, median survival rose from 6.7 months with chemotherapy to 13.2 months (RASolute 302, O’Reilly 2026). Common side effects were rash and diarrhea Approved in the US on August 26, 2026. Not approved in Japan
Olaparib (PARP inhibitor) Maintenance therapy after chemotherapy for people with BRCA gene changes. Median survival did not differ, but 3-year survival was 33.9% vs. 17.8% (POLO, Kindler 2022) Approved in December 2020
Carbon-ion and proton beam therapy Delivers strong radiation focused on the cancer For locally advanced pancreatic cancer that cannot be operated on, covered by insurance since April 2022. For resectable pancreatic cancer, carbon-ion therapy alone led to shorter survival than surgery plus chemotherapy (single-center comparison, Yamamoto 2023)
mRNA cancer vaccine (autogene cevumeran) A vaccine made for each person after analyzing the genes of the cancer removed in surgery. In a phase 1 trial (16 people), the 8 people who responded to the vaccine had later recurrence than the 8 who did not (Rojas 2023, Sethna 2025) Research stage (the phase 2 trial IMCODE003 is underway overseas)
  • In the 2025 guidelines, “5-FU + leucovorin + liposomal irinotecan” as second-line treatment was upgraded to “recommended.”
  • The daraxonrasib trial was funded by a US pharmaceutical company. New drugs have set conditions for use (type of cancer, treatment history, genetic changes). Please discuss how to choose treatment with your doctor.

What You Can Do for Your Pancreas

Action Reason
Quit smoking “Convincing” in the National Cancer Center Japan’s assessment. In a Japanese study, men’s risk fell to the level of non-smokers 5 years after quitting
Don’t drink heavily Studies found risk rising at 15 g or more a day for women and 30 g or more for men. Stay within the national benchmarks (40 g for men, 20 g for women)
Maintain your weight Body fat is a “convincing” cause per WCRF
Manage diabetes and watch for sudden changes Diabetes is “probable.” Newly appearing or worsening diabetes can sometimes be a sign of pancreatic cancer
Know your family history If many family members have had pancreatic cancer, consult a doctor

As ways to cut down on drinking, the national drinking guidelines list deciding how much you will drink beforehand, eating before and while you drink, drinking water between drinks, choosing drinks that contain no alcohol, and having alcohol-free days each week.

What About Fruit?

The relationship between fruit and pancreatic cancer is not yet known.

  • The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) says of fruits and vegetables that “the evidence is limited and no conclusion can be drawn.” The National Cancer Center Japan’s assessment is also “insufficient data.”
  • In the same WCRF assessment, “foods and drinks containing fructose” are rated “suggestive of increased risk (limited).” In a summary of 6 follow-up studies, risk was 1.22 times for every 25 g a day increase in fructose. However, WCRF says this fructose comes from many different sources, such as soft drinks, fruit juice, and sugar, and is difficult to interpret.

The difference between the fructose in fruit and the fructose in high-fructose corn syrup (“果糖ぶどう糖液糖”) found in soft drinks and the like is sorted out from studies in our article on fructose in fruit. Separately from pancreatic cancer, the government sets a goal of eating 200 g of fruit a day (Health Japan 21). The view of Japan and the WHO is that if you eat fruit, whole fruit is better than juice.

Note There is no evidence that fruit can prevent pancreatic cancer. If you are being treated for diabetes, follow your doctor’s instructions about how much fruit to eat.

For People Who Want to Drink Less: Non-Alcoholic Beer (Rakuten Ichiba)

If you replace the first or second beer of your evening drink with non-alcoholic beer, that much pure alcohol drops to zero (20 g for one long can).

Suntory All-Free Kirin Greens Free Asahi Dry Zero
Alcohol content 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Volume 350 ml × 24 cans 350 ml × 28 cans 350 ml × 24 cans
Price (tax included) 3,359 yen 4,092 yen 3,606 yen
Store Rakuten 24 Healthcare Hall (楽天24 ヘルスケア館) Rakuten 24 (楽天24) Rakuten 24 (楽天24)
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(Checked on the Rakuten Ichiba sales pages on September 29, 2026. Prices and shipping fees may change. These products cannot be purchased by anyone under 20.)

Note Non-alcoholic beer is not a drink that prevents pancreatic cancer. It is introduced as a substitute to help you reduce how much alcohol you drink. If you are being treated for chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, or similar conditions, follow your doctor’s instructions about drinks as well. If you want to stop drinking but cannot, you can consult a medical institution, a public health center, or a mental health and welfare center.

Summary

  • The conclusion of the research on alcohol and pancreatic cancer is that “risk is slightly higher (1.1 to 1.3 times) in people who drink heavily.” At light to moderate amounts there is no clear link. In studies of Japanese people, the verdict is still “insufficient data.”
  • As benchmarks for drinking amount: 15 g a day for women and 30 g for men, where studies clearly showed higher risk, and 40 g for men and 20 g for women, the national “amounts that raise the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.”
  • Factors more strongly linked to pancreatic cancer are smoking, diabetes, obesity, family history, and genetic changes. Alcohol also affects risk through chronic pancreatitis.
  • The age-adjusted death rate from pancreatic cancer keeps rising even now that alcohol consumption and smoking have fallen. Alcohol alone cannot explain it, and the cause is not clear.
  • Treatment is changing, with chemotherapy before and after surgery, new chemotherapy combinations, RAS inhibitors, carbon-ion therapy, and mRNA vaccines. Whether each is available in Japan differs by treatment.

Sources

Related articles and databases

This article organizes labeling rules and evaluations based on public agencies' documents and research. It does not judge whether any particular food or additive is safe or dangerous. Rules in Japan and abroad change over time (checked 2026-09-29). This is a translation of our Japanese article; if they differ, the Japanese article is the reference.