The consumption of alcohol increases the risk of these 7 types of cancer.
A new study has shown that alcohol consumption increases the risk of seven types of cancer.
This was revealed by a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Murthy issued a warning on Friday, stating that alcohol can elevate the risk of cancer.
He also called for updated health warning labels to be placed on alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least 7 types of cancer:
Mouth (Oral cavity)
Throat (Esophagus)
Breast (in women)
Liver
Throat (Pharynx)
Voice box (Larynx)
How does alcohol consumption lead to cancer?
Mechanism 1: Alcohol consumption produces acetaldehyde in the body, which damages DNA and increases the risk of cancer.
alcohol increases the risk of these 7 types of cancer.
Mechanism 2: Alcohol increases oxidative stress, which damages DNA, proteins, and cells, and raises inflammation in the body, thus increasing the risk of cancer.
Mechanism 3: Alcohol alters the levels of various hormones in the body, including estrogen. This increases the risk of breast cancer in women.
Mechanism 4: Alcohol increases the absorption of carcinogens in the body.
**Increased Cancer Risk with Higher Alcohol Consumption**
With an increase in alcohol consumption, the risk of cancer also rises.
Among 100 people who drink two glasses of alcohol a day, about 5 women are likely to develop cancer.
Among 100 people who drink two glasses of alcohol a day, about 3 men are likely to develop cancer.
The effects of alcohol consumption are seen in both men and women, but the risk is higher in women.
Reasons Why Alcohol Increases Cancer Risk More in Women:
One reason is the physical structure of women. Since women’s body size is generally smaller, the level of alcohol in their blood is higher when they consume the same amount, and the impact of alcohol on the cells of their body is more pronounced.
Additionally, women have a higher body fat percentage than men, which makes the effects of alcohol more significant in women.
**Alcohol Increases the Risk of Breast Cancer in Women:**
When women drink two glasses of alcohol a day, about 4 women out of 100 are likely to develop breast cancer.
The latest IARC report states that about 20% of the 75,000 oral and mouth cancers occurring annually worldwide are caused by alcohol consumption.
Alcohol also reduces the levels of essential nutrients like B vitamins and folate, which help protect the body from cancer.
Alcohol is a powerful solvent, and when it comes into contact with other carcinogenic substances like tobacco, it extracts
higher levels of cancer-causing chemicals from those substances and enhances their effects. This makes it particularly
dangerous when mixed with any kind of tobacco product, including smokeless tobacco.
