The Link Between Alcohol and Cancer

Most of us know that alcohol is not that good for us. But there are still many misconceptions about its use and how it affects our health. Is it okay to drink in moderation? Will drinking increase my chances of getting cancer? Are some people more prone to alcohol-related health issues than others? In this article, we will share the most up-to-date information regarding alcohol use, and how it pertains to cancer. First, let’s clear up the technicalities.

What is drinking in moderation?

According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking in moderation means having up to 7 standard drinks per week for women, and 14 for men (and no more than 2 a day). Some newer sources state that drinking in moderation is having no more than 10 drinks per week for both men and women.

What is heavy drinking?

A person is considered to be a heavy drinker if they have more than the moderate amount stated above. So, 8 or more drinks for women, and 15 or more for men. Binge-drinking is defined as having 5 or more drinks in one sitting.

What is a standard drink?

A standard drink is considered to be 1.5 oz of hard liquor, 5 oz of wine, or 12 oz of beer. Simply put, it’s one shot, one glass of wine, and one small can of beer.

Does drinking alcohol cause cancer?

While downing a few shots at your friend’s birthday party may not give you cancer, regular (both moderate and heavy) alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of getting certain types of cancer. Breast Cancer – alcohol consumption increases women’s chances of getting breast cancer in their lifetime by 15%. This happens to women who have 3 or more drinks each week.

• Liver Cancer – This one is pretty self-explanatory. Alcohol is toxic to liver cells, and heavy drinking can double your risk of getting liver cancer compared to a non-drinker.
• Mouth and Throat Cancer – Alcohol damages tissues in the mouth and throat, making drinkers 5 times as likely to develop cancer than non-drinkers! Smoking while drinking further increases that likelihood.
• Esophageal Cancer – Consumption of alcohol has been linked to an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma in the esophagus. The more you drink, the higher the chances.
• Colorectal Cancer – On average, heavy alcohol consumption (more than 2 drinks a day) increases the chances of getting colorectal cancer by 44%. However, chances are higher for men than for women.
• Stomach Cancer – Having 3 or more alcoholic drinks a day will increase the likelihood of getting stomach cancer by about 65% (according to a study done on men).
• Kidney Cancer – According to studies, having 2 or fewer drinks a day can actually reduce your risk of getting kidney cancer.

A few words for summary

Overall, alcohol consumption does not directly cause cancer, but it can up your chances of getting it at some point in your life. Completely cutting out alcohol will not guarantee that you will never get cancer. It can be hard to completely abstain from alcohol, and it is not exactly a necessary move if you want to avoid cancer altogether (as you saw, your chances of getting kidney cancer are actually lower if you’re a moderate drinker). When it comes to being precautious, we suggest, after American Institute for Cancer Research, staying below the “moderate drinker” line and having 7 or fewer drinks a week if you are a woman, and 14 or fewer drinks a week if you are a man.

Alcoholic drinks