We often hear about the dangers of smoking or excessive sun exposure, but what about alcohol? Alcohol is a known human carcinogen and poses some serious health risks. But does alcohol cause cancer?
The link between drinking alcohol and cancer is widely debated. While some may see light drinking as relatively harmless, research consistently shows that moderate to excessive drinking can increase the risk of certain types of cancer.
If you are concerned about your alcohol consumption and its effect on your cancer risk, make an appointment with your primary care provider. They can provide guidance and resources to make an informed decision about your drinking habits.
How does alcohol cause cancer?
The evidence linking alcohol to cancer is clear: drinking alcoholic beverages increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Experts consider drinking alcohol one of the leading preventable risk factors for cancer, just behind smoking. The more you drink, the higher your risk. This is particularly true for people who drink a lot over long periods.
Alcohol contributes to cancer development in several ways:
- Acetaldehyde production: When the body metabolizes alcohol, it produces acetaldehyde. This toxic compound can damage DNA and hinder its repair, leading to cancer.
- Hormonal changes: Alcohol can increase levels of certain hormones, such as estrogen. This increase may promote the development of hormone-related cancers like breast cancer.
- Nutrient absorption: Alcohol can impair the absorption of essential nutrients that protect against cancer, including vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as folate and selenium.
- Correlation with tobacco use: Combining alcohol consumption with tobacco use significantly increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and esophagus.
Types of cancer linked to alcohol
Does alcohol cause cancer? Yes, but indirectly. Alcohol consumption influences several types of cancer.
Breast cancer
One of the most well-established links between drinking alcohol and cancer is the increased risk of breast cancer. Even small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of developing breast cancer, especially in women.
This is because alcohol can raise estrogen levels in the body, which is a known risk factor for breast cancer. The more alcohol a person drinks, the higher their risk of breast cancer.
Colorectal cancer
Regularly drinking alcohol, particularly heavy drinking, increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Alcohol promotes cancer development in the colon and rectum by changing how the body processes and metabolizes certain substances.
Liver cancer
Liver cancer is another cancer strongly associated with alcohol consumption, especially in individuals who engage in chronic heavy drinking. Excessive drinking can lead to liver cirrhosis, a condition that damages and scars liver tissue.
This scarring increases the risk of developing liver cancer. The risk is especially high for individuals who have a history of alcoholism or anyone who regularly drinks excessively.
Mouth, throat and esophageal cancer
Alcohol is a known carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) for the mouth, throat and esophagus. When someone drinks alcohol, it comes into direct contact with the tissues in their mouth and throat, which can lead to cancer development.
This risk increases further when combined with smoking, as the two habits work together in increasing cancer risk.
How much alcohol increases cancer risk?
The amount of alcohol someone drinks plays a huge role in determining cancer risk. Regular, heavy drinking is the most dangerous, but even moderate drinking can increase your risk. The National Cancer Institute defines “moderate drinking” as up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
However, different types of alcoholic beverages contain different amounts of alcohol. For example, a standard serving of red wine (5 ounces) typically contains the same amount of alcohol as a 12-ounce beer or a 1.5-ounce shot of distilled spirits.
So, even though red wine is often touted for its health benefits, drinking red wine in excess still carries the same risks as drinking other types of alcohol.
Health effects of drinking alcohol
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer, but it can also harm your body in many other ways. Some of these include liver disease, heart problems, digestive issues and a weakened immune system.
Drinking heavily can also lead to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The risk of developing cancer compounds the health effects of alcohol, making it all the more important to monitor and manage any alcohol intake.
How to reduce your cancer risk
Plain and simple, drinking less alcohol is the best way to lower your risk of cancer in relation to alcohol consumption. Studies show that only about half of Americans recognize that alcohol increases cancer risk.
While drinking alcohol is not the only factor that affects your cancer risk, it can make a significant difference. If you’re concerned about your risk of cancer or have a family history of cancer, you may want to consider stopping drinking altogether.
How we can help
If you think you may have an issue with drinking, start by making an appointment with your primary care provider. Having a conversation with your doctor is the easiest first step in cutting back or completely eliminating drinking.
Your doctor can also work with you to recommend mental health experts or support groups that can help along the way.
Learn about the cancer care and oncology services we offer at Mercy Health.
