Research suggests a link between heavy drinking and an increased risk of colorectal cancer, with some studies indicating that lifetime alcohol use may raise the risk. The extent of the increased risk varies, with some reports suggesting a 25% higher risk and others indicating a possible doubling of the risk or even a 91% higher risk. The relationship between long-term alcohol consumption and colorectal cancer risk appears to be supported by multiple studies, although the exact magnitude of the risk is not consistently reported.