Alcohol and Cancer Risk - Cancer is unfortunately a disease that has touched many individuals’ lives. This could mean that they have been diagnosed or survived Cancer themselves, or have a loved one who has been diagnosed.
Research has shown that drinking alcohol can lead to adverse health effects, which includes cancer. Nonetheless, alcohol use is among the most important preventable risk factors for certain cancers.
All kinds of alcoholic drinks, including white and red wine, beer, liquor, and cocktails, are linked with cancer. The more you consume, the higher your cancer risk.
Cancer research has shown that drinking alcohol can lead to the development of some cancers, and raise the risk of developing others.
In this article, we will take a look at Alcohol and Cancer Risk, the cancers that are linked to drinking alcohol as well as the cancers that increase in their risk if a person drinks alcohol.
Over the years, the amount of research done into the causes of various cancers and other contributing factors has increased. From this research we have learned more about the connection of alcohol and Cancer risk.
The National Cancer Institute is a reliable source of information regarding Cancer. Research has shown that alcohol beverages, such as beers, wines and liquors, are known to be a carcinogen. In other words, alcohol is known to be a substance that causes Cancer.
It is important to note that there is no known “threshold” or minimum amount of alcohol needed to be consumed to cause the various types Cancer associated with drinking. There are other factors that can contribute to the development of Cancers, which makes this a difficult variable to pin point. Other factors can include other life style choices, genetics and a history of Cancer.
So what Cancers are directly linked to Alcohol? The following list was developed by the National Cancer Institute, which you can read more about by following the link.
It is important to note that research is ongoing when it comes to factors contributing to the development of Cancers. As a result, this list may expand in the future as we learn more about it.
As mentioned above, the alcohol and Cancer risk is a growing field of research. At this time, there are several ways that alcohol is believed to increase the risk of Cancers.
It is important to note that these beliefs are still undergoing research for support, which means that the connection has not been concretely proven at this time.
Below is a list of beliefs that are current the suspect of research studies according to the National Cancer Institute:
Alcohol is known to increase our bodies level of Estrogen which may be linked to the risk associated between alcohol consumption and Breast Cancer.
Alcoholic beverages might also contain carcinogenic contaminants that are introduced during the fermentation process and production, like nitrosamines, phenols, asbestos fibers, and hydrocarbons.
The simple answer to this question would be to avoid alcohol, or drink what falls into the light drinker category. Any reduction in alcohol consumption is a step toward lower risk of cancer. You will likely gain other health benefits from doing this.
What we know, is that when you initially stop drinking alcohol, there is no immediate decrease of the risk associated with Cancer development. After time, the risk will fall.
Research has shown that it may take year’s sobriety for the risk to be comparable to someone who does not drink alcohol. Alcohol and Cancer Risk is real.
One point worth discussing is the thought that drinking Red Wine can actually reduce our risk of developing Cancer. This thought comes from the presence of resveratrol, which is found in grapes. It is believed that this compound decreases the risk of cancer, however, this thought has not yet been supported by empirical evidence and research. As time goes on, this may change, and we may have a concrete answer to this question.
Another way to reduce your risk is to avoid the use of both Alcohol and Tobacco products. Tobacco products are known to come with their own health risks, so it is not surprising that when combined with alcohol, the risk for serious health concerns arises.
When we look at the risk for Cancers, the use of both alcohol and tobacco leads to an even greater risk of developing various Oral Cancers,
If you have been diagnosed with any of the Cancers that are known to be connected to the use of Alcohol, your doctor would be your best source of information regarding your use of alcohol.
As noted above, the field of alcohol and Cancer risk Research is ever growing and we are learning more about it continuously.As such, new recommendations can be developed to help us decrease our risk associated with various Cancers.
Alcoholism not only has its own negative effects in the body, but it also causes a lot of other deadly diseases like cancer. However, it’s never too late to put a stop to alcoholism. Reach out to a dedicated treatment provider today to know more about the treatments available for alcohol abuse.
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Lead Writer/Reviewer : Kayla Loibl
Licensed Medical Health Professional
Hello!
I am a Mental Health Counselor who is licensed in both New York (LMHC) and North Carolina (LCMHC). I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2015. I have worked in a residential setting, an outpatient program and an inpatient addictions program. I began working in Long Island, NY and then in Guelph, Ontario after moving to Canada. Read More
Sources:
Cancer.org. Alcohol Use and Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/diet-physical-activity/alcohol-use-and-cancer.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol and Cancer. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/alcohol/index.htm
American Institute for Cancer Research. Alcohol: Drinking Increases Cancer Risk. March 31, 2021. https://www.aicr.org/cancer-prevention/food-facts/alcohol/
National Cancer Institute. Alcohol and Cancer Risk. - www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet
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