HOW STRONG IS THE LINK BETWEEN CANCER AND ALCOHOL?
Alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, behind tobacco and obesity. It estimates that alcohol contributes to about 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the US. WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer too classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen.
7.4 lakh cancer cases globally were attributable to alcohol consumption in the year 2020.
- 1.9 lakh for 6+ drinks per day.
- 1.9 lakh cases for 2 drinks per day.
- 1.5 lakh cases for 4-6 drinks per day.
- 2.1 Lakh for 2-4 drinks per day.
SEVEN CANCERS HAVE BEEN LINKED TO ALCOHOL
Alcohol opens the body up to a wider variety of cancers. In India, liver cancer cases are particularly linked to alcohol consumption, while the combination of tobacco and alcohol increases risk of cancers of the mouth, larynx, and throat.
“Greater public health initiatives aimed at reducing both behaviors would be instrumental in lowering the incidences of these types of cancer.”
FOUR WAYS ALCOHOL CAN CAUSE CANCER
- Alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde which damages DNA in multiple ways, causing an increased risk of cancer.
- Alcohol induces oxidative stress, increasing the risk of cancer by damaging DNA, proteins, and cells and increasing inflammation.
- Alcohol alters levels of multiple hormones, including estrogen, which can increase breast cancer risk.
- Alcohol leads to greater absorption of carcinogens.
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
Results of global, multi-decade studies found that just one drink of any kind a day can increase the risk of certain cancers from 10 to 40%.
- Less than 1 drink per week.
- 1 drink a day ( 7 per week)
- 2 drinks a day (14 per week)
BREAST CANCER RISK:
About 4 more women out of 100 would develop breast cancer due to consumption of two drinks a day.
WHY INDIA SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF US REPORT?
As the world’s most populous nation with substantial alcohol consumption, India faces elevated risk. Alcohol was associated with 62,100 new cancer cases in 2020, representing 5% of total cancer cases.
HOW TO DECREASE YOUR RISK?
Of course, the simplest answer is to abstain entirely. If you can’t do that, limiting intake is a good idea. When you do drink, avoid binge drinking or consuming a large amount in a short time and do not smoke at the same time.
