Having a drink or two can be enjoyable, but drinking too much alcohol can cause serious health problems. The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) says that more than 5% of all cancer cases are connected to alcohol. This includes six different kinds of cancer, such as cancers in the head and neck, esophagus, breast, colon, liver, and stomach. Rajarshi Sengupta, the main author of the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2024, points out that ‘drinking too much alcohol raises the risk of these six types of cancer.
Types of Cancer Linked to Alcohol Consumption
- Stomach cancers
- Head and neck
- Esophageal
- Colon and rectum
- Liver
- Breast cancer
Stomach Cancers
Drinking too much alcohol is a big risk for stomach cancer. Long-term heavy drinking can raise the chances of getting this disease for a few reasons:
- Acidic Environment: Alcohol can bother the stomach lining and make more acid. This extra acid can hurt the stomach’s cells, making cancer more likely.
- Harming the Stomach Lining: Heavy drinking over time can cause swelling and wear away the stomach lining. These problems can make the stomach more likely to get cancer.
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Head and Neck Cancers
Drinking too much alcohol can greatly increase the chances of getting certain cancers in the head and neck area. These cancers include:
- Oral cavity: Cancers in the lips, tongue, inside of the cheeks, and gums.
- Pharynx: Cancers in the throat, which include the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx.
- Larynx: Cancers in the voice box.
- Esophagus: Cancers in the tube that move food from the mouth to the stomach.
The main reason for this higher risk is that when alcohol breaks down in the body, it creates harmful chemicals that can hurt DNA and help cancer cells grow.
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Esophageal
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the esophagus. It is often connected to drinking too much alcohol, especially when combined with smoking a lot. Here are some important things to know:
- Alcohol as a Risk Factor: Drinking alcohol a lot over a long time is a big risk for getting esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
- Combined Effect with Smoking: Drinking a lot and smoking a lot together can greatly increase the chance of getting this cancer.
- Damage to the Esophagus: Alcohol and tobacco can harm the cells in the esophagus, making it more likely for cancer to develop.
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Colon and rectum
Drinking too much alcohol raises the risk of colorectal cancer. Research shows that the more alcohol someone drinks, the higher their chance of getting this kind of cancer.
- Inflammation: Alcohol can cause long-term inflammation in the digestive system, which helps cancer cells grow.
- DNA Damage: Alcohol can harm DNA, the cell’s genetic material. This damage can lead to mutations that might cause cancer.
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Liver
Drinking too much alcohol can hurt the liver and cause a serious problem called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can make you more likely to get liver cancer.
- Cirrhosis: If you drink too much alcohol for a long time, it can hurt the liver cells and turn them into scar tissue. This scarring can stop the liver from working well, which can lead to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can raise your chance of getting liver cancer.
- Hepatitis B and C: Getting infected with the hepatitis B or C virus can also hurt the liver and raise your risk of liver cancer. These viruses can cause long-term liver inflammation, which can lead to scarring and cancer.
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Breast cancer
Drinking too much alcohol can raise the chances of getting breast cancer, especially for women who drink often. There are a few reasons why this happens:
- Hormone Changes: Alcohol can affect the levels of hormones in the body, like estrogen. More estrogen in the body has been connected to a higher risk of breast cancer.
- Higher Estrogen: Alcohol can either boost the production of estrogen or mess with the body’s ability to break it down. This can result in more estrogen in the blood, which can make breast cancer more likely.
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