Alcohol and Cancer Risk: Understanding this Level 1 Carcinogen

Alcohol consumption is a common part of social life and cultural traditions worldwide. However, its impact on health, particularly in relation to cancer risk, is often underestimated. Numerous studies have established that alcohol is a carcinogen, directly increasing the likelihood of developing several types of cancer. This blog explores the biological mechanisms, specific cancers linked to alcohol use, and actionable steps to reduce alcohol-related cancer risks.

Alcohol as a Carcinogen

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen—a substance proven to cause cancer in humans (International Agency for Research on Cancer [IARC], 2020). This classification is based on robust evidence linking alcohol to DNA damage, oxidative stress, and hormonal changes, all of which contribute to cancer development.

How Alcohol Causes Cancer

1. Production of Acetaldehyde: When alcohol is metabolized in the body, it breaks down into acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can damage DNA and interfere with cell repair (Seitz & Stickel, 2007).
2. Oxidative Stress: Alcohol increases the production of free radicals, unstable molecules that damage cells and DNA, promoting cancerous mutations (Wang et al., 2012).
3. Hormonal Changes: Alcohol can elevate estrogen levels, increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast cancer (Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, 2002).
4. Weakened Immune System: Alcohol impairs the immune system, reducing the body’s ability to detect and eliminate cancerous cells (Rehm et al., 2010).

Cancers Linked to Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol consumption is strongly associated with increased risks for several cancers. These include:

1. Mouth, Throat, and Esophagus

• Alcohol irritates the mucosal lining of the upper digestive tract, making these tissues more vulnerable to cancerous changes.
• The risk is significantly heightened when combined with smoking, as the two act synergistically to amplify DNA damage (Baan et al., 2007).

2. Liver Cancer

• Chronic alcohol use contributes to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, all of which increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (Morgan et al., 2004).

3. Breast Cancer

• Even moderate alcohol intake is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. A meta-analysis found that consuming just 10 grams of alcohol per day (about one drink) raises breast cancer risk by 7-10% (Scoccianti et al., 2016).

4. Colorectal Cancer

• Alcohol consumption is associated with a higher risk of colon and rectal cancers, particularly in individuals who consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day (Fedirko et al., 2011).

5. Pancreatic Cancer

• Though less commonly discussed, chronic alcohol use increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, particularly in conjunction with smoking (Maisonneuve et al., 2009).

Statistics on Alcohol-Related Cancer

• Alcohol is estimated to cause approximately 6% of all cancers and 4% of cancer-related deaths globally (Shield et al., 2016).
• A study published in The Lancet found that even moderate alcohol consumption contributes significantly to cancer risk, particularly breast cancer in women (GBD 2016 Alcohol Collaborators, 2018).
• In the United States, alcohol accounts for 15% of all breast cancer cases annually (American Cancer Society, 2021).

Reducing Alcohol-Related Cancer Risks

While the risks associated with alcohol and cancer are significant, there are actionable steps individuals can take to mitigate them:

1. Eliminate [or at lease limit] Alcohol Intake: Eliminating alcohol, or at least reducing the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumed, can significantly lower cancer risk.
2. Choose Alcohol-Free Alternatives: The rise of non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits provides options for enjoying social occasions without health risks. There are 1000’s of options, many of which can be ordered on Amazon.com online and shipped directly to your door.
3. Quit Smoking: Since alcohol and smoking together dramatically increase cancer risk, and both are Level 1 Carcinogens, eliminating tobacco use is a crucial step also.
4. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate hydration support overall health and resilience against cancer.
5. Seek Support: For those struggling to reduce alcohol consumption, counseling or support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous can provide guidance.

Conclusion

Alcohol’s role as a level 1 carcinogen underscores the importance of mindful consumption of alternative options. By understanding the link between alcohol and cancer risk, individuals can make informed choices to protect their health. Whether through reducing alcohol intake or embracing alcohol-free alternatives, taking proactive steps can significantly lower the likelihood of developing alcohol-related cancers.

Wishing You Joy and Health,

Jami Streyle

RN, MS, HWNC-BC, HNB-BC, Nurse Coach

Jami@bodyofgraceliving.com

References

American Cancer Society. (2021). Alcohol use and cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org

Baan, R., Straif, K., Grosse, Y., Secretan, B., El Ghissassi, F., Bouvard, V., Altieri, A., Cogliano, V., & WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer Monograph Working Group. (2007). Carcinogenicity of alcoholic beverages. The Lancet Oncology, 8(4), 292-293. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(07)70099-2

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Alcohol and cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov

Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. (2002). Alcohol, tobacco and breast cancer—Collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 53 epidemiological studies, including 58,515 women with breast cancer and 95,067 women without the disease. British Journal of Cancer, 87(11), 1234-1245. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6600596

Fedirko, V., Tramacere, I., Bagnardi, V., Rota, M., Scotti, L., Islami, F., Negri, E., Straif, K., Romieu, I., La Vecchia, C., Boffetta, P., & Pelucchi, C. (2011). Alcohol drinking and colorectal cancer risk: An overall and dose-response meta-analysis of published studies. Annals of Oncology, 22(9), 1958-1972. https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdq653

GBD 2016 Alcohol Collaborators. (2018). Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2016: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. The Lancet, 392(10152), 1015-1035. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31310-2

Maisonneuve, P., & Lowenfels, A. B. (2009). Risk factors for pancreatic cancer: A summary review of meta-analytical studies. International Journal of Epidemiology, 39(1), 3-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyp292

Morgan, T. R., Mandayam, S., & Jamal, M. M. (2004). Alcohol and hepatocellular carcinoma. Gastroenterology, 127(5), S87-S96. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2004.09.020

Rehm, J., Baliunas, D., Borges, G. L. G., Graham, K., Irving, H., Kehoe, T., Parry, C. D., Patra, J., Popova, S., Poznyak, V., Roerecke, M., Room, R., Samokhvalov, A. V., & Taylor, B. (2010). The relation between different dimensions of alcohol consumption and burden of disease: An overview. Addiction, 105(5), 817-843. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.02899.x

Scoccianti, C., Cecchini, M., Anderson, A. S., Berrino, F., Boutron-Ruault, M. C., Espina, C., Key, T. J., Leitzmann, M., Norat, T., Powers, H., Wiseman, M., & Romieu, I. (2016). European Code against Cancer 4th Edition: Alcohol drinking and cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, 45, 181-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2016.09.011

Seitz, H. K., & Stickel, F. (2007). Molecular mechanisms of alcohol-mediated carcinogenesis. Nature Reviews Cancer, 7(8), 599-612. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc2191

Shield, K. D., Parry, C., & Rehm, J. (2016). Chronic diseases and conditions related to alcohol use. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 38(2), 155-171. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3908707/