Alcohol's Relationship with Cancer

Cancer kills more Americans each year than anything except heart disease. It is estimated that over 526 thousand Americans will die from cancer this year, and anywhere from 2 to 4 percent of these cases can be directly or indirectly attributable to excessive alcohol usage.

The strongest connection between alcoholism and cancer is seen with cancers of the mouth, pharynx and esophagus. Breast, colorectal and liver cancers also show some relationship to excessive alcohol usage, but these are still in some dispute. Together, according to the American Cancer Society, these cancers are the cause of over 125 thousand deaths in the United States each year.

People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol over long periods of time, usually alcoholics, stand a far greater risk of developing cancer than the general population. For example, 75% of American cancers of the esophagus are linked to alcoholism. Nearly 50% of mouth, pharynx and larynx cancers can be attributed to excessive drinking. When these cancer/alcoholism sufferers also smoke cigarettes, the increase in risk factor is dramatic.

Liver cancer is indirectly related to drinking. Drinking to excess, especially to the level of alcoholism, will very often cause cirrhosis or scarring of the liver. This, in turn, leads to liver cancer. Liver cancer is relatively rare in the United States; about .002% will ever contract the disease. However, alcoholics will comprise about 36% of all liver cancer cases.

Why?

Studies show that alcohol produces a substance called acetaldehyde in the body. This substance interferes with a cell's innate ability to repair its own DNA. This makes it more likely that a mutation like a cancer can occur.

Another possible explanation being studied is that alcohol may be interfering with the enzymes that normally help remove toxins from the body. If they can't do so normally, these toxins can be more potent as carcinogens as they pass through the body.

Alcohol can also assist other carcinogens, making itself a co-carcinogen. For example, someone who both smokes and drinks is at a 35 times greater risk for esophageal cancer than one who neither smokes nor drinks.

Chronic alcoholism almost always results in malnutrition. This is because it interferes with the way the body absorbs nutrients in our food. Some of these nutrients seem to promote some types of cancer when not present in sufficient enough quantities. Iron, zinc, vitamins E and B are such nutrients. Vitamin A, which is proffered by some as a cancer preventative, is also reduced in heavy drinkers' livers and esophagus's.

When diagnosed with colon cancer, a person is often put on a diet high in folic acid. However, as little as two drinks per day can completely eliminate any benefit brought by the added fruit in the diet.

Alcoholism has long been known to negatively affect the immune system. Alcoholics are more prone to infectious diseases and cancer. To keep your chances of contracting cancer to a minimum, be sure to drink no more than two alcoholic drinks three times per week or less.