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Alcohol wreaks havoc on the brain, heart, lungs, muscles, gastrointestinal tract, and immune system. An increasing number of studies indicate that alcoholic beverages are linked to cancer. Despite this, humanity is slow to abandon this harmful habit.
As early as the 1980s, scientists suspected that alcohol consumption could be a cause of cancer. Epidemiological studies have shown that drinking is associated with cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and breast. One study reported a connection between chronic and binge drinking and pancreatic cancer.
In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen. This highest classification level indicates sufficient evidence to conclude that the substance causes cancer, as reported by Science Alert.
Recently, research centers have indicated that even small amounts of alcohol increase cancer risk. However, a 2019 survey revealed that less than 50 percent of American adults are aware of the cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption.
Dr. Pranoti Mandrekar, a professor of medicine at the Chan School of Medicine at the University of Massachusetts, has spent years studying the biological effects of moderate and prolonged alcohol consumption. Along with her team, she has uncovered several mechanisms that contribute to the risk of developing cancer due to alcohol use. What have researchers discovered?
How Does Alcohol Cause Cancer?
Cancer occurs when cells in the body begin to grow uncontrollably. Alcohol can lead to tumor formation by damaging DNA, causing mutations that disrupt normal cell division and growth.
Researchers have identified several mechanisms related to how alcohol contributes to cancer development. These were recently outlined by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. They include alcohol metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation, hormonal changes, and interactions with other carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke.
Alcohol metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down and eliminates alcohol. When alcohol is metabolized, its first byproduct is acetaldehyde, a chemical classified as a carcinogen. Researchers have found that certain genetic mutations can cause the body to metabolize alcohol more quickly, leading to increased levels of acetaldehyde.
There is also substantial evidence that alcohol can prompt the body to release harmful molecules known as free radicals. These molecules can damage DNA, proteins, and lipids in cells during oxidative stress.
Dr. Mandrekar’s lab has found that free radicals produced from alcohol consumption can directly affect how cells produce and break down proteins. This leads to the formation of abnormal proteins that cause inflammation, which promotes tumor development.
Alcohol can directly influence hormone levels in ways that increase cancer risk. For example, estrogens can elevate the risk of breast cancer. Moderate alcohol consumption can both raise estrogen levels and encourage further alcohol use. It also heightens the risk of breast cancer by lowering vitamin A levels, a compound that regulates estrogen.
Individuals who drink and smoke have an increased risk of developing cancers of the mouth, throat, and larynx. Alcohol facilitates the absorption of carcinogens from cigarettes and vapes. Smoking alone can also cause inflammation and the formation of free radicals that damage DNA.
What Amount of Alcohol is Safe?
Many scientists studying this issue will say that there is no safe amount of alcohol. However, according to recommendations from international health organizations, women should consume no more than one to two standard drinks, while men should limit themselves to two to three.
A standard drink is defined as 25 milliliters of a 40-proof beverage, 100 milliliters of wine, or 200 milliliters of beer.
However, an individual’s genetic background, lifestyle, diet, and other factors can influence the extent to which alcohol affects tumor formation.
Therefore, reevaluating negative habits can help protect health and reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.
