You know that smoking and excessive sun exposure are causes of cancer. But there's something else that most of us don't think about, but it's just as dangerous. That's alcohol. You might think that a little wine, a beer, or a cocktail won't do anything. But the truth is, research has found that alcohol is directly responsible for 5% of new cancer cases and cancer deaths worldwide. So let's talk about this in a little more depth today.
Parts of the body where alcohol increases cancer risk
Simply put, the more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of developing cancer. This risk is particularly high for men who drink more than 15 drinks a week and women who drink more than 8 drinks a week. But if you think, "I drink very little, just one or two drinks a week," remember, you're still at a higher risk than someone who doesn't drink at all.
Alcohol increases the risk of cancer in seven major parts of our body. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Body part | Impact and risk |
|---|---|
| Liver | The liver's main function is to filter and remove toxins from the body. Alcohol is a direct poison to liver cells. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause the liver to swell, become inflamed, and become scarred. This can double the risk of liver cancer. |
| Mouth and throat | This is the strongest evidence for this link. People who drink heavily are five times more likely to develop mouth and throat cancer than non-drinkers. Alcohol damages the cells in these tissues. If you also smoke, this risk is even greater. This is because alcohol blocks the passage of harmful chemicals in tobacco into the cells. |
| Esophagus | Esophageal cancer is a very serious and potentially fatal type of cancer. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol you drink. Alcohol is particularly associated with a type of cancer called ``squamous cell carcinoma,'' which forms in the lining of the esophagus. |
| Colon and rectum | Men are at a higher risk of developing cancer in these areas than women who drink heavily. Overall, both men and women who drink heavily have a 44% higher risk than non-drinkers. |
| Breast | The more alcohol a woman drinks per week, the higher her risk of developing breast cancer. This is something that women should be especially concerned about. |
Why is alcohol so harmful to our body?
Alcohol is something that can easily enter the cells of our body. Once inside, it damages our genetic blueprint, that is, DNA, and causes various changes in the body. Let's see how that works.
Toxic chemicals
The main ingredient in alcohol is ethanol. When our bodies break down and digest this ethanol, a compound believed to be carcinogenic is formed. This compound is what damages cells and paves the way for cancer to develop.
Damage to DNA
Alcohol causes our organs and tissues to become irritated and inflamed. The body then tries to repair this damage. But as this repair process continues, sometimes mistakes can happen. This means that mistakes can be made in our genetic code (DNA) and cancer cells can start to grow out of control.
Hormonal Changes
In women, especially, alcohol can increase levels of the hormone estrogen. This hormone acts as a fuel for the growth of some types of cancer, such as breast cancer. This further increases the risk.
Nutrient Deficiencies
When you drink alcohol, your body's ability to properly absorb B vitamins like folate and other essential nutrients, which help reduce cancer risk, decreases. These nutritional deficiencies also indirectly affect cancer risk.
Weight Gain
Alcohol is a high-calorie drink. Just think about how many calories you add to your body with just one drink. This is why drinking alcohol over a long period of time can lead to weight gain and obesity. Obesity is also a major risk factor for many types of cancer.
"Is it okay to drink a little?" - How much is really "too much"?
This is a question that many people ask. We often hear things like, "I drink a little wine," "I don't drink alcohol, I drink beer."
Remember, when it comes to cancer risk, it doesn't matter what you drink. The chemical in beer, wine, liquor, and whiskey is the chemical that's harmful. So there's no such thing as a "safe type of alcohol."
However, the risk is highest if you have more than four drinks of alcohol a day. Now you might be thinking, "What is one drink?" In medical terms, one drink is:
- Spirits like arak and whiskey - 1.5 ounces (about 44 milliliters)
- If it's wine - 5 ounces (about 148 milliliters)
- Regular beer - 12 ounces (about 355 milliliters)
"Moderate drinking" is considered to be one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men . Drinking more than this is risky.
You may think you're drinking a little, but the amount in your glass may be more than you think. Some cocktails contain several shots of spirits. Some strong beers can have the same alcohol content as liquor. So it's important to be aware of how much you're drinking.
If you have any concerns or fears about your drinking habits, don't be ashamed or shy about it, but definitely talk to your family doctor . He or she will provide you with the right medical advice and guidance to overcome this condition.
Take-Home Message
- Drinking alcohol directly increases the risk of cancer in several parts of the body, including the liver, mouth and throat, esophagus, colon, and breast.
- It doesn't matter whether you drink beer, wine, or liquor. What's harmful is the chemical called ethanol.
- The risk of cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. There is no such thing as a "completely safe amount of alcohol."
- Alcohol can lead to cancer by damaging the body's DNA, producing toxic chemicals, and altering hormone function.
- If you have any concerns about your drinking habits, never hesitate to talk openly with your doctor about it.
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