The A-Z Of An Alcohol-Free Christmas (Part 1)
The Alcohol Debate
In this episode of The Alcohol Debate, Tabbin Almond takes us on a journey through the A to Z of having an alcohol-free Christmas, offering insightful strategies to navigate the festive season without the influence of alcohol. Drawing from her experience in advertising, Tabin emphasizes the importance of creative thinking and reframing our relationship with alcohol during this time of year. The conversation begins with the acknowledgment of anxiety, a common trigger for festive drinking, and moves into the realm of alternatives, encouraging listeners to explore new choices and activities that...
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What Do We Do With The Drunken Sailor (Or Construction Worker)?
The Alcohol Debate
This conversation with Nick McMurray was such a refreshing shift from the usual workplace narrative around drugs and alcohol. Nick is a Director of Positive Matters, an organisation that helps businesses build strategies that meet safety requirements for substance misuse through a culture of trust and support. Their focus is on the health and mental well being of employees, which is a world away from the test and fire approach that still appears far too often. His work brings together clarity, strategy, and humanity in a way that genuinely benefits both people and organisations. We...
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Parties Without Repercussions
The Alcohol Debate
Office parties can be brilliant for bringing people together, but they also have a habit of going off the rails when alcohol takes the lead. In this episode, I talk through how employers and employees can shape a celebration that’s warm, fun, and genuinely memorable, without waking up to HR headaches the next morning. It’s not about banning booze, it’s about taking back control of the evening so everyone feels safe and included. I also share some practical tricks for anyone attending a work party and hoping to avoid drinking more than they planned. From choosing a first...
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Once upon a time: Story-telling to effect change with Dr Susanne Evans
The Alcohol Debate
This conversation with Dr Susanne Evans opened up the side of workplace drinking culture that often hides in plain sight. Susanne brings 25 years of organisational change experience, spanning Big 4 consultancy, academia and boardrooms in multiple sectors. She is the author of the bestselling book ChangeStories, host of a Top 40 Apple UK Business and Management podcast and a specialist in using stories to create honest, practical conversations that spark real transformation. Her work helps leaders find the clarity, confidence and language to lead when it matters most. Together, we...
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Hiding in Plain Sight with Jelan Agnew
The Alcohol Debate
This week I’m joined by the brilliant and brave Jelan Agnew, Keynote and TEDx Speaker, Life Coach, Wellness Consultant, and Mindfulness Facilitator. Jelan opens up about the moment her life changed forever - waking up in ICU in the same hospital she once worked at. What followed was an incredible journey from silence and shame to freedom and fulfilment. We talk about the dangers of hiding behind “having it all together,” how stigma keeps people suffering in secret, and the unexpected joy that comes with living life fully awake again. Jelan’s honesty is raw, refreshing and deeply...
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Spotlight on NLP And How it Can Help Overcome Addictions
The Alcohol Debate
In this episode, I’m joined by NLP practitioner Tina LeAnn, founder of The Sovereign Soul, NLP Master Practitioner & Trainer, Human Design & Gene Keys expert, transformational coach, and host of The Sovereign Soul Podcast. Tina’s work sits at the intersection of deep energetics and practical structure. We’ll explore how our early coping mechanisms quietly shape our adult behaviour, especially when it comes to alcohol and other habits. We talk about why “I’ll just stop drinking” rarely works without understanding what’s happening underneath — and how...
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Booze & Boobs - The Facts About Breast Cancer
The Alcohol Debate
In this episode, I’m talking about something that’s often brushed aside but really needs our attention - the link between alcohol and cancer. I’ll share what the science actually says, how alcohol became recognised as a carcinogen by the World Health Organisation, and why even light or “middle lane” drinking increases risk. This isn’t about shame or blame. Having faced breast cancer myself, I know how complex this is. My goal is simply to inform and empower you, so you can make choices that genuinely support your health and peace of mind. I’ll also walk you through my...
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Not the Norm with Toni Will
The Alcohol Debate
In this episode, I sit down with trailblazer Toni Will, General Manager of the Kalamazoo Wings and the first woman to hold that role in the team’s 50-year history. Toni shares her journey from banking to professional sports, the gender bias she’s faced, and how she’s changing the culture of leadership - on and off the ice. We also talk about the drinking culture in sports, what it means to lead alcohol-free, and how authenticity and courage can create lasting change. Toni is a speaker, author, and the first female GM in ECHL history. She empowers women to thrive in male-dominated...
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Managing Grief Without Drowning Your Sorrows
The Alcohol Debate
This week, I share a deeply personal story about loss, love, and the courage to stay alcohol-free through grief. After saying goodbye to my beloved dog of sixteen years, I found myself reflecting on how differently I face pain now compared to my drinking days. In this episode, I explore the emotional landscape of grief, from denial to acceptance, and how tools like the Serenity Prayer, connection, and self-compassion can guide us through it. It’s an honest conversation about vulnerability, resilience, and why clarity - not alcohol - is what truly helps us heal. Here...
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The Case For Compassionate Leadership with Jason Matthews
The Alcohol Debate
In this episode, I’m joined by executive coach Jason Matthews for a thought-provoking conversation on leadership, trust, and how company culture shapes our relationship with alcohol. Jason is a leadership consultant with a background in Psychology, specialising in CBT, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed care. Through his work with Relatem, he helps leaders overcome limiting patterns and build organisations that thrive even when they’re not in the room. We explore whether leaders need personal experience with addiction to create meaningful change and why compassion, not...
info_outlineIn this episode, I’m talking about something that’s often brushed aside but really needs our attention - the link between alcohol and cancer.
I’ll share what the science actually says, how alcohol became recognised as a carcinogen by the World Health Organisation, and why even light or “middle lane” drinking increases risk.
This isn’t about shame or blame. Having faced breast cancer myself, I know how complex this is. My goal is simply to inform and empower you, so you can make choices that genuinely support your health and peace of mind.
I’ll also walk you through my Eight to Liberate framework - eight simple steps to help you cut back with awareness and confidence, without pressure or perfectionism.
Highlights:
(03:13) How alcohol is classified as a carcinogen by the WHO
(05:00) Seven types of cancer linked directly to alcohol
(09:40) The science behind how alcohol damages the body
(14:13) Why breast cancer awareness around alcohol remains low
(19:12) The shocking story of being told “you’re cancer free” without mention of alcohol
(28:51) Common myths about alcohol and health
(30:00) Practical steps to reduce your risk and feel better
Key Facts and Takeaways:
1️⃣ Alcohol is a Group 1 Carcinogen
- The World Health Organization classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, the same category as tobacco smoke, asbestos, and ultraviolet radiation.
- (WHO / International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2021)
2️⃣ Global and UK Statistics
- Alcohol is responsible for around 4% of all new cancer cases globally, equivalent to about 740,000 cases per year.
- (WHO / IARC, 2021)
- In the UK, alcohol was linked to approximately 17,000 new cancer cases in 2020, including over 4,000 breast cancer cases.
- (House of Commons Library, “Alcohol and Cancer”, 2023)
3️⃣ The Cancers Most Strongly Linked to Alcohol
Evidence is strongest for seven cancers:
- Mouth
- Throat and voice box
- Oesophagus
- Liver
- Colon and rectum
- Female breast
(World Cancer Research Fund International, 2024)
4️⃣ Breast Cancer and Alcohol
- Around 8–10% of all female breast cancers in the UK — roughly 4,100 to 4,400 cases per year — are linked to alcohol.
- (Cancer Research UK; House of Commons Library, 2023)
- A 2024 meta-analysis found that:
- Drinking less than one drink per day was associated with a 4% higher breast cancer risk compared with non-drinkers.
- Each additional daily drink increased risk by ~3% in premenopausal women and ~10% in postmenopausal women.
- (Xu et al., 2024)
- Earlier pooled studies found a 30–50% higher risk at around 1–2 drinks per day (15–30g alcohol).
- (Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, Lancet Oncology, 2011)
5️⃣ How Alcohol Causes Cancer
- DNA Damage: Alcohol is metabolised to acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that damages DNA.
- Oxidative Stress: Creates reactive oxygen species that injure cells.
- Hormonal Effects: Raises oestrogen levels, increasing breast tissue vulnerability.
- Folate Interference: Reduces the body’s ability to repair DNA.
- Enhanced Carcinogen Absorption: Makes tissues more permeable to harmful chemicals.
- (WHO, 2021; National Cancer Institute, 2023)
6️⃣ Low Awareness
- Only around half of UK adults know alcohol can cause cancer.
- Just one in five recognise the link between alcohol and breast cancer.
- (Alcohol Health Alliance UK, 2023)
- Ireland will introduce cancer-warning labels on alcohol products in 2026.
7️⃣ No “Safe” Level for Cancer
- UK low-risk guidelines advise no more than 14 units per week for men and women, spread over several days with drink-free days.
- (UK Chief Medical Officers, 2016)
- For cancer specifically, experts stress that risk increases with any amount — so less is better.
Sources
- World Health Organization / IARC (2021) – Alcohol: A Major Preventable Cause of Cancer
- House of Commons Library (2023) – Alcohol and Cancer (Research Briefing)
- Xu, et al. (2024) – Alcohol Consumption and Breast Cancer Risk: Updated Meta-Analysis
- Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer (2011) – Alcohol, Menopausal Status and Breast Cancer Risk, Lancet Oncology
- Cancer Research UK (2024) – Alcohol and Cancer Statistics
- Alcohol Health Alliance UK (2023) – Public Awareness Poll on Alcohol and Cancer
- UK Chief Medical Officers (2016) – Low Risk Drinking Guidelines
- National Cancer Institute (2023) – Alcohol and Cancer Fact Sheet
- World Cancer Research Fund International (2024) – Alcohol and Cancer Risk Report
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