Doctors and health professionals have always suggested and emphasised on low or no alcohol and tobacco consumption. A recent research has found out that alcohol consumption apart from other diseases also increases the risk of certain cancer in the body. Studies have found out that alcohol consumption can cause certain cancers in the body. They are-
Head and neck cancer:
Head and neck cancers are likely to happen for those who consume alcohol; particularly cancers of the oral cavity (excluding the lips), pharynx (throat), and larynx (voice box) .Consumption of 50 or more grams of alcohol can increase the risk of cancer twice as compared to those who don’t consume alcohol. Moreover, the risks of these cancers are substantially higher among persons who consume this amount of alcohol and also use tobacco.
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Oesophageal cancer: Major risk factor for oesophageal cancer is alcohol consumption. Additionally, people with enzyme deficiency and alcohol consumption inherit increased risk of alcohol-related oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Liver cancer: Alcohol consumption is an independent risk factor and a primary cause of liver cancer. Other major causes of liver cancer are Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus.
Breast cancer: Studies have found an increase in the risk of breast cancer for those who consume more alcohol. A meta-analysis of 53 of these studies (which included a total of 58,000 women with breast cancer) showed that women who drank more than 45 grams of alcohol per day (approximately three drinks) had 1.5 times the risk of developing breast cancer as non drinkers (a modestly increased risk) . The risk of breast cancer was higher across all levels of alcohol intake: for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed per day (slightly less than one drink), researchers observed a small (7 percent) increase in the risk of breast cancer.
Colorectal cancer: Alcohol consumption is associated with a modestly increased risk of cancers of the colon and rectum. A meta-analysis of 57 cohort and case-control studies that examined the association between alcohol consumption and colorectal cancer risk showed that people who regularly drank 50 or more grams of alcohol per day (approximately 3.5 drinks) had 1.5 times the risk of developing colorectal cancer as non drinkers or occasional drinkers . For every 10 grams of alcohol consumed per day, there was a small (7 percent) increase in the risk of colorectal cancer.
People who consume tobacco also have high risk of mouth cancer but the combination of alcohol and tobacco is more risky and dangerous as compared to single consumption of alcohol. Researchers have found out that people who consume both alcohol and tobacco have high risk of developing oral cavity larynx and oesophagus cancer. The risk associated is double for those who consume both alcohol and tobacco.
Hence it is advised to completely stop tobacco consumption and lower the consumption of alcohol to a level that it does not increase the risk of cancer in the body. Studies suggest that some alcohol consumption is good for the body but taking it in the right way is very important.
