Alcohol and cancer can be strongly linked. In the United States, around 6% of all cancer diagnoses and 4% of all cancer-related deaths are attributed to alcohol consumption, according to ACS (American Cancer Society). That said, alcohol consumption is a cancer risk factor that anyone has the ability to moderate.
Alcohol and Cancer Risk
The relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk is dose-dependent, so the more alcohol you consume, the greater the risk. It’s a common misconception that certain alcoholic beverages are safer than others – cancer and alcohol can be linked regardless of the type of alcohol, and even at low levels of consumption.
Moderation or abstinence from alcohol can significantly diminish your cancer risk. Beyond this, reducing alcohol consumption has a cascade of additional health benefits. It can lead to a lower incidence of unintentional injuries, a decline in hypertension rates, and a reduced burden of liver disease.
How Much Alcohol Use Is Linked to Cancer?
The consumption of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer, including:
- Mouth
- Throat (pharynx)
- Voice box (larynx)
- Esophagus
- Liver
- Colon and rectum
- Breast
There’s also a probable link between alcohol and stomach cancer and it may influence the risk of other cancers too – alcohol and prostate cancer are linked, for example. For these cancers, the risk escalates with the amount of alcohol consumed.
Specific risks associated with different types of cancer include:
- Cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, and esophagus: The risk for these cancers significantly increases with alcohol use. Combining alcohol with tobacco multiplies the risk far beyond the effects of either substance alone. This increased risk might be due to alcohol’s ability to streamline the entry of tobacco’s harmful chemicals into the cells lining these organs and impairing their DNA repair mechanisms.
- Liver cancer: Chronic alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for liver cancer, mainly through the pathway of liver damage, inflammation, and scarring.
- Colon and rectal cancer: A link exists between alcohol use and a heightened risk of colon and rectal cancers, with stronger evidence found in men.
- Breast cancer: Even minimal alcohol use is associated with a heightened risk of breast cancer. This may be due to alcohol’s effect on increasing estrogen levels in the body, which could contribute to the risk.
Types of Cancer from Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol consumption is a causative agent for seven different types of cancer. Additionally, it is suspected to raise the likelihood of stomach cancer and may potentially influence the risk for other cancer types.
Alcohol and Breast Cancer
Many studies show that drinking alcohol increases the chance of women developing breast cancer.
Consuming alcohol causes increased levels of hormones like estrogen associated with breast cancer. Alcohol can also damage the DNA in some cells, further heightening the risk profile for breast cancer.
According to this review of studies, females consuming more than three alcoholic drinks weekly are at 15% increased risk of breast cancer compared to women who drink no alcohol. The risk rises exponentially with each additional alcoholic drink.
Among teenage girls drinking between three and five alcoholic beverages per week, the risk of developing benign breast lumps is tripled. Sometimes, benign lumps can develop into breast cancer in later life.
Alcohol and Pancreatic Cancer
Research indicates an association between those with acute pancreatitis and the subsequent development of pancreatic cancer. One of the most common reasons for the presentation of acute pancreatitis is chronic alcohol use.
Alcohol and Colon Cancer
Studies have shown that regular alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. The risk is especially evident with heavy use, which can lead to mutations and inflammatory processes in the colon, potentially triggering cancerous growths.
Alcohol and Esophageal Cancer
Alcohol intake has a well-established link with esophageal cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma. Alcohol acts as an irritant – it damages the delicate lining of the esophagus, causing cellular changes that can increase the risk of cancer. The effect is magnified when combined with smoking.
Get Treatment for Alcohol Addiction at Ohio Recovery
If you or someone that you care about needs alcohol addiction treatment in Ohio, we offer a variety of outpatient and intensive outpatient programs at Ohio Recovery Centers.
When you engage with treatment for alcohol use disorder, you will participate in weekday therapy sessions around your existing commitments. Due to the unique nature of all addictions, you can access personalized treatments that blend medications, counseling, behavioral interventions, and holistic therapies.
For immediate assistance with overcoming alcohol addiction in Ohio, call 877-679-2132 and begin your recovery right away.
