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Chamber and committees

Recognising SHAAP’s Updated Guidance for Health Professionals on Alcohol and Cancer

  • Submitted by: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
  • Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
  • Motion reference: S6M-18092

That the Parliament welcomes the publication by the Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) of its updated guidance for health professionals on alcohol and cancer, Alcohol & Cancer Risks: A guide for health professionals (2025); understands that the guidance will help inform health professionals on the link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk, alcohol-attributable cancer rates in Scotland, opportunities for interventions, and how alcohol can interact with cancer treatment; further understands that SHAAP’s recommendations include the need for healthcare professionals to be well informed and open with their patients about the risk of consuming alcohol in regard to cancer and how they can reduce this risk; recognises that the guidance has been published during Cancer Prevention Action Week 2025, which takes place from 23 to 29 June; acknowledges that the theme of the week is highlighting the links between alcohol and cancer; notes that alcohol causes seven types of cancer, including breast, mouth and bowel cancer; further notes that cutting down on drinking will reduce this risk, and believes that it is important to raise awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer among the public and health professionals, and that SHAAP’s updated guidance plays an important role in this.


Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Tess White