As a rule, people know that smoking and prolonged sun exposure can cause cancer, but few realize that alcohol also carries similar risks. According to researchers, 70% of Americans are unaware that drinking wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverages increases the risk of developing cancer.
Worldwide, about 5% of new cancer cases and cancer-related deaths are directly linked to alcohol. Studies show that the risk increases even with moderate consumption, while frequent and heavy consumption can significantly raise the likelihood of developing and dying from the disease.
How does alcohol consumption increase cancer risk?
Alcohol consumption is known to cause negative changes in the body:
- Toxic substances: Ethanol breaks down into compounds that can promote the formation of cancer cells.
- DNA damage: Alcohol irritates tissues, disrupting the DNA repair process. This allows cancer cells to develop.
- Hormonal changes: In women, alcohol can increase estrogen levels, which contributes to the development of breast cancer.
- Nutrient loss: Alcohol hinders the absorption of vitamins, such as folic acid, which plays a crucial role in DNA repair.
- Weight gain: Alcohol is high in calories, and excess weight is a risk factor for many types of cancer.
Cancers linked to alcohol
According to studies, alcohol increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer:
- Liver cancer: Heavy drinking doubles the risk of developing liver cancer.
- Mouth and throat cancer: Heavy drinkers are five times more likely to develop these types of cancer. The risk increases even more if a person both drinks and smokes.
- Esophageal cancer: This is associated with aggressive squamous cell carcinoma.
- Colon and rectal cancer: Heavy drinkers have a 44% higher risk of developing these cancers.
- Breast cancer: In women, the risk of cancer increases with as little as one drink per week.
How much is “too much”?
Health experts consider moderate alcohol consumption to be one drink per day for women and two for men. If a person drinks more than four drinks per day, the risks of developing cancer increase significantly. A standard serving is considered to be 350 ml of beer, 150 ml of wine, or 45 ml of hard liquor.
Researchers emphasize that reducing the amount of alcohol consumed can decrease cancer risk, but the issue is still under study.
Source: webmd
