Dry February a ‘win-win,’ says Canadian Cancer Society

‘The bottom line is the less you drink, the more you reduce your risk,’ said the Canadian Cancer Society’s Kelly Wilson Cull

CITYnews halifax \ Meghan Groff

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Some people will be adjusting their habits over the next four weeks as they participate in Dry February.

“The premise is pretty simple, it’s challenging Canadians to go alcohol-free for the month of February and also raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society,” said the society’s director of advocacy, Kelly Wilson Cull.

“It’s a bit of a win-win, helping you get healthy while raising funds for an important cause.”

Wilson Cull told CityNews Halifax last week only one-third of Canadians are aware alcohol consumption can increase the odds of getting certain cancers.

“The bottom line is the less you drink, the more you reduce your risk,” she explained.

“Alcohol is directly connected to at least six different types of cancer, including some of the more common ones, like breast and colorectal.”

She said alcohol can be a big part of social interactions for many Canadians, but some previous participants have said they’d rethink the amount they consume after Dry February.

“Seventy-two per cent indicated that they intend to drink less after they do it,” Wilson Cull stated.

“I think what the take away is that maybe it’s not as challenging as some people think it might be at the onset and consuming less is a very achievable goal.”

More information about Dry February can be found online.