By Jennifer Faringer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimates that alcohol accounts for approximately 4% of newly diagnosed cancers worldwide.
The most commonly associated cancers with alcohol use are esophageal, liver and breast cancer.
The IARC has gone so far as to classify alcohol as a group 1 carcinogen based on the strong evidence that demonstrates the causal relationship between alcohol and cancer. Additionally, the National Toxicology Program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lists the consumption of alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol increases a person’s risk for multiple types of cancer: cancer in the mouth and throat; larynx; esophagus; colon and rectum; liver; and breast. The risk increases with the number of drinks one consumes; the less you drink, the lower your risk of cancer. Drinking three or more alcoholic beverages a day increases the risk of stomach and pancreatic cancers. Alcohol also weakens the body’s immune system, is the most misused drug, and is also the second leading cause of premature death.
If eliminating alcohol is not an option now, consider following the recommended Guidelines from the American Cancer Society and the HHS that suggest limiting alcohol intake per day to one drink or less for women and two drinks or less for men. For older women and men (60+), the recommendation is one drink or less. For women who are pregnant or considering a pregnancy, the recommendation is no alcohol during any trimester.
How does alcohol cause cancer?
• Alcohol damages our cells and stops cells from repairing the damage. When we drink alcohol, our bodies turn it into acetaldehyde, the chemical that can damage cells and stop them from repairing.
• It affects the chemical signals which make cells more likely to divide which in turn increases the chance that cancer will develop. Alcohol increases the levels of some hormones in our bodies such as estrogen and insulin. Higher levels of these hormones can make cells divide more often, increasing the chance that cancer will develop.
• Alcohol makes it easier for cells in our mouth and throat to absorb harmful cancer-causing chemicals that cause damage.
“Research shows that even small amounts of alcohol can carry health risks, including for certain cancers and cardiovascular issues,” according to George F. Koob, PhD, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The more you cut down, the more you can reduce your risk.
Consider being mindful of the risks year-round. If you are hosting a social event, consider providing alcohol-free drinks. For recipes and more information, visit our website at: ncadd-ra.org/resources/awareness-campaigns/alcohol/. To schedule a presentation for your organization or community group, contact Jennifer Faringer at jfaringer@depaul.org.
Jennifer Faringer, CPP-G (Credentialed Prevention Professional—Gambling), is the director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence — Rochester Area.