Alcohol Linked To Cancer – Report Indicates Links To Six Types of Cancer
John, a busy man, enjoys a glass of drink after the end of a long day, just like millions of people around the world. It’s his way of relaxing and a small reward for facing the daily grind. Harmless, right? That’s what he thought.
Do you know that your socializing and relaxing drinks could increase the risk of cancer? Alcohol Linked To Cancer
A recent report by the American Associate of Cancer Research reported that the impact of alcohol is particularly related to cancer. Once considered harmless in moderation, alcohol is now recognized as a contributing factor to cancer development. This report sheds light on the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer. The author of the report estimated that 40% of all cancer cases are associated with “modifiable risk factors.”, which means things we can change by ourselves. Alcohol consumption is one of the prominent risk factors associated with six different types of cancer: cancers of the head and neck, esophagus, liver, breast, colon, and stomach.
An alarming study in 2019 shows that more than 5% of cancer diagnoses from Western countries were attributed to alcohol consumption , which is increasing every year. The report highlights concerning trends: the rising rate of several cancers among younger adults. These reports say that from 2011 to 2019, the rate of this type of cancer is 1.9% annually. However, the exact cause remains undefined, but frequent alcohol consumption in early and middle adulthood is strongly associated with a higher risk of colon and rectal cancers later in life. Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake can lower the risk, offering a form of empowerment in the face of an often unpredictable disease.
The relation between alcohol and cancer is that the more you drink, the higher your risk of cancer. Even moderate and light drinks can lead to an increased risk of cancer, such as breast cancer. While alcohol uses leads to cancer risk but it is essential to understand that not everyone who drinks alcohol will have cancer. Many other factors, such as genetics and lifestyle, contribute to cancer development.
The story doesn’t end with these numbers. It extends to the cellular level; alcohol can cause damage to DNA which may result in mutations that can lead to cancer. When we drink, the body metabolizes the alcohol into acetaldehyde toxin that harms the blueprint of our cells. This shows alcohol can potentially rewrite our DNA and create changes called mutations which lead to cancer.
Other factors may interact with alcohol to increase the risk of cancer even more, such as smoking or a sedentary lifestyle. Other genetic predispositions and obesity can also promote the carcinogenicity of alcohol. Curiously, however, which type of alcoholic beverage is consumed—it could be beer, wine, or spirits—does not alter the risk: it is ethanol itself, which is carcinogenic. While some studies have indicated that red wine prevents certain types of diseases, no such evidence supports its relation with the prevalence of cancerous cell developments in the human body.
The message is not to abstain completely from liquor but that there are risks attached. Moderation, an informed decision, and awareness about the long-term health implications then become crucial concomitants. The latest UK-based study on older adults has succinctly established a clear relation between increased alcohol intake and higher mortality rates from any cause. Such evidence thus reiterates the need for more public vigilance of the risks related to alcohol use.
Despite increasing evidence pointing to a causative association of alcohol in carcinogenesis, public awareness remains extremely low. In fact, in the US, an estimated half of the population does not know that alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer, hence the need for continued education targeting awareness and good lifestyle choices. As the research unfolds in the field, what people consider as an indulgent free-for-all may turn out to be a very serious affair when it comes to cancer risk and all-around health.
So think before you drink. “Alcohol consumption is temporary fun with permanent consequences.”
Alcohol Linked To Cancer – Report Indicates Links To Six Types of Cancer
