New report links alcohol to six major cancers: ScienceAlert

A little alcohol used to be considered healthy. However, as scientific research advances, we are gaining a clearer picture of the effects of alcohol on health – particularly with regard to cancer.

The complex connection between alcohol and cancer was recently highlighted in a new report from the American Association for Cancer Research. The report's findings are revealing.

The report's authors estimate that 40% of all cancer cases are linked to “modifiable risk factors” – things we can change ourselves. Alcohol consumption is the most prominent among them.

Six types of cancer are linked to alcohol consumption: head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and stomach cancer.

The statistics are sobering. In 2019, more than one in 20 cancer diagnoses in the West were attributed to alcohol consumption, and this number is increasing over time.

This figure challenges the popular perception of alcohol as a harmless social lubricant and builds on several well-conducted studies linking alcohol consumption to cancer risk.

But it's not just about the present, but also about the future. The report highlights a worrying trend: rising rates of certain cancers in younger adults.

It's a plot twist that researchers like me are still trying to understand, but alcohol consumption is emerging as a potential frontrunner on the list of causes.

Of particular concern is the increasing incidence of early-stage colorectal cancer in adults under 50 years of age. The report finds an annual increase of 1.9% between 2011 and 2019.

While the exact causes of this trend are still being investigated, research continues to show a link between frequent and regular alcohol consumption in early and middle adulthood and a higher risk of colon and rectal cancer later in life. But it's also important to recognize that this story is not a tragedy.

It's more of a cautionary tale with the potential for a hopeful ending. Unlike many other risk factors for cancer, we can control alcohol consumption. Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption can reduce risk and provide a form of reinforcement in the face of an often unpredictable illness.

The association between alcohol and cancer risk generally follows a dose-response pattern, which simply means that higher alcohol consumption is associated with higher risk. Even light to moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of some cancers, particularly breast cancer.

Still, it's important to remember that while alcohol increases the risk of cancer, that doesn't mean everyone who drinks alcohol will get cancer. Many factors contribute to the development of cancer.

Damages DNA

The story doesn't end with these numbers. It extends into the cells of our body, where alcohol's journey begins.

When we drink, our body breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde, a substance that can damage our DNA, the blueprint of our cells. This means that alcohol can potentially rewrite our DNA and cause changes called mutations, which in turn can cause cancer.

The story becomes more complex when we consider the different ways alcohol interacts with our bodies.

It can interfere with nutrient and vitamin absorption, alter hormone levels, and even make it easier for harmful chemicals to penetrate the cells in the mouth and throat. It can affect the bacteria in our gut, called the microbiome, that we live with and is important for our health and well-being.

Alcohol consumption is also linked to other aspects of our own health and lifestyle and it is important not to look at this alone.

For example, tobacco use and smoking can significantly increase the risk of cancer associated with alcohol. Genetic factors also play a role, with certain variations affecting the way our bodies metabolize (break down) alcohol.

Physical inactivity and obesity, often combined with heavy drinking, also individually increase the risk of cancer, but when combined with alcohol, the risk is made much worse.

Nevertheless, misunderstandings remain. The type of alcoholic drink, be it beer, wine or spirits, does not have a significant impact on the risk of cancer. It is the ethanol (the chemical name for alcohol) itself that is carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

And although some studies suggest that red wine may have a protective effect against certain diseases, there is no clear evidence that it helps prevent cancer.

The potential risks of drinking alcohol likely outweigh any potential benefits.

The bottom line is not that we should never enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with friends. Rather, it's about being aware of the potential risks and making decisions that are consistent with our health goals. It's about moderation, mindfulness and informed decision-making.

Alcohol has many effects, not just in terms of causing cancer. A recent large study of over 135,000 older drinkers in the UK showed that the more people drink, the higher their risk of dying from any cause.

These and similar findings underscore the importance of raising awareness and educating the public about the potential risks associated with alcohol consumption.

The more we understand the connection between alcohol and cancer, the more it becomes clear that what many consider a harmless indulgence can have broader health effects than previously thought.

Unfortunately, not many people seem to be aware of these risks. In the United States, about half of people do not know that alcohol increases the risk of cancer. Clearly there is still a lot of work to be done to overcome this lack of awareness.

Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.