The debate about the benefits and harms of alcohol has been going on for years. Some say that moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages can be beneficial for the body, while others believe that alcohol should be completely abandoned. Fortunately, with the growing number of scientific studies on the topic, we are getting a more accurate picture of the impact of alcohol on health, especially when it comes to cancer. The 14th report, published by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) on September 18, 2024, details the complex relationship between alcoholic beverages and cancer. Scientists have concluded that alcohol consumption is associated with the risk of developing six types of cancer, including head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, and stomach cancer.
Contents
- 1 Alcohol and cancer
- 2 Alcohol – risk factors
- 3 Alcohol – the cause of six types of cancer
- 4 Prevention and treatment of cancer
- 5 To drink or not to drink?
Alcohol and cancer
In many cultures and countries around the world, drinking alcohol is considered harmless entertainment. However, research in recent years has increasingly pointed to a variety of health problems that arise from alcohol and its abuse.
Recall that when consuming alcohol, the human body converts it into acetaldehyde, a substance that can cause oxidative stress, which leads to liver dysfunction and promotes the accumulation of acetic acid in the body. Note that the main mechanism of liver damage is associated with the development of fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis (the main risk factors for the development of liver cancer).
Alcohol can also increase the penetration of other carcinogenic substances into cells and disrupt the metabolism of important nutrients and hormones.
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Being a toxic substance, acetaldehyde is also capable of damaging DNA and proteins in cells. This process, in turn, leads to mutations and, ultimately, the development of various oncological diseases.
The link between alcohol and cancer depends on the amount of alcohol consumed: the more and more often a person drinks alcoholic beverages, the higher the risk of developing cancer. However, even a small or moderate amount of alcohol can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer (especially breast cancer in women).
A 2019 study published in the American Cancer Society journal found that more than one in 20 registered cancer cases in the West was linked to alcohol consumption. And with the number continuing to rise over time, the statistics are grim.
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Alcohol – risk factors
A report recently published on the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) website highlights the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer development.
The new comprehensive document describes the latest statistics on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival, and emphasizes the importance of clinical trials. The authors of the report focus on revolutionary advances in cancer diagnostics and therapy.
The future of cancer science and medicine looks promising. Diagnostic methods are becoming more sophisticated, and new technologies are gradually improving, – noted AACR President Patricia LoRusso.
Scientists estimate that 40% of all cancer cases are associated with so-called “modifiable risk factors” – that is, with something that a person can change on their own. This means that the risk of developing cancer increases proportionally to the amount of alcohol consumed.
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Thus, even light and moderate consumption is associated with an increased risk of some types of cancer (especially breast cancer). Let us recall that it was previously believed that a small amount of alcohol can be beneficial to health, but the results of recent scientific studies refute this.
Alcohol is the cause of six types of cancer
The main conclusion of the new work was the identified relationship between alcohol consumption and head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer. The researchers also noted that the combination of alcohol consumption with smoking significantly increases the risk of developing cancer.
The findings do not mean, however, that everyone who drinks alcohol will develop cancer, as factors such as decreased nutrient absorption, changes in hormone levels and the penetration of harmful chemicals into the body's cells contribute to its development.
The researchers also noted a worrying trend in the rise of certain cancers among young people. For example, early colorectal cancer rates among adults under 50 increased by 1.9% annually between 2011 and 2019.
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While the exact cause of the trend is still being studied, the findings of the American scientists point to a link between frequent and regular alcohol consumption in early and middle age and a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer in later life.
The good news in this whole story is that the amount of alcohol consumed is a factor that can be controlled, the authors of the report concluded.
By the way, a popular misconception is that the type of alcoholic drink affects the risk of developing cancer is not true. In fact, the researchers note, the risk is determined by the amount of ethanol contained in the drink, regardless of its type.
Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Reducing or giving up alcohol can reduce the risk of developing cancer, along with the implementation of programs to inform the public about the dangers of alcoholic beverages. This is important information, since the incidence of various types of cancer in the world is growing.
In addition to measures aimed at cancer prevention and public awareness, the authors of the new report highlighted a number of positive factors in the fight against cancer. Among them are 15 approved anti-cancer drugs, including the first cellular immunotherapy based on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for patients with melanoma and a new bispecific antibody for the treatment of small cell lung cancer.
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Scientists have also attracted the attention of such technological innovations as artificial intelligence-based tools that help in the early diagnosis of cancer, as well as minimally invasive tests to assess the hereditary risk of cancer.
To drink or not to drink?
The new report's findings make it clear that the potential risks associated with drinking alcohol likely outweigh any benefits. And while several studies have previously shown that red wine may have a protective effect against certain diseases, there is no clear evidence that it helps prevent cancer.
The fact is that ethanol – the chemical name for alcohol – is itself a carcinogen capable of provoking the development of oncology. Let us recall that in addition to cancer, alcohol in general has a negative effect on the body.
The results of a large-scale study recently published in the journal Jama Networks have shown that the more people drink, the higher the risk of dying from any cause. The study involved more than 135,000 elderly residents of the UK.
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Special attention to the issue of giving up alcoholic beverages should be paid to smokers and people suffering from obesity, since these factors, together with alcohol, significantly increase the risk of developing cancer.
So, what conclusion can be drawn from all of the above? Probably, you should not deny yourself a glass of wine or beer when meeting with friends. Rather, we are talking about the need to be aware of the potential risks and drink a limited amount of alcohol. It's all about moderation, mindfulness, and making informed decisions, as it often is. Stay healthy!