Alcohol and Cancer Risk

A carcinogen is anything that causes cancer. There are many types of alcohol, but the one in wine, beer and other beverages we drink is called ethyl alcohol or ethanol. Back in 1988, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization classified alcohol as a carcinogen. (American Institute for Cancer Research). To prevent cancer, it’s best not to drink alcohol. 

Scientists have identified several possible ways that alcohol increases cancer risk (American Institute for Cancer Research):

•       When someone drinks alcohol and processes ethanol, their body breaks it down into a chemical called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a compound that not only damages DNA, it also prevents the body from repairing that damage.  This can lead to cancer cells developing. 

•       The alcohol molecule can physically help carry other cancer-causing substances into cells.

•       Alcohol hurts the body’s ability to break down and absorb important vitamins and nutrients that help control cancer. Too much alcohol can lead to low levels of vitamin D.

•       For liver cancer, high amounts of alcohol can cause cirrhosis, a condition strongly linked to liver cancer.

•       Drinking alcohol can lead to higher levels of the hormone estrogen, which can help cancer cells grow. This can increase the risk of breast cancer.

•       Drinking alcohol and using tobacco lead to a greater cancer risk than just drinking alcohol or smoking alone.  This may be because alcohol allows the harmful chemicals in tobacco to get inside cells more easily and create damage.