Alcohol is a potentially harmful substance that can put you at risk for many different problems, including a heightened risk for cancer. It doesn’t matter what type of alcohol you drink—wine, beer, spirits. Rather, it’s about what the alcohol does to the body. While drinking alcohol does not mean that you will develop cancer, it does put you at a higher risk. 

To reduce your risk for cancer and other health-related problems, it’s worth cutting back or quitting alcohol altogether. Let’s explore the link between alcohol and cancer so that you can better understand what this substance does to the body. 

Does Alcohol Cause Cancer? 

When you drink alcohol, the body metabolizes it into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde, a highly toxic and known carcinogen. This is then further metabolized down to another byproduct called acetate, which is then broken down into water and carbon dioxide for easy elimination. Acetaldehyde can cause significant damage to the DNA within the cells, leading to cell mutations. 

Furthermore, alcohol can disrupt the hormones in the body. Research shows that alcohol can increase levels of estrogen and insulin, causing cells to divide more rapidly. With increasing cell division, there’s a higher chance for cancerous changes to occur in the body. All types of alcohol can cause this damage, which is why no amount is considered safe. 

Why Alcohol and Cancer are Linked 

Aside from damage to the cellular structures and disturbances in hormones, there are other ways that alcohol and cancer are linked: 

• Nutrient absorption. Alcohol makes it harder for the body to absorb and metabolize essential nutrients that protect against cancer. For instance, it can impair the body's ability to process and utilize folate and B vitamins, which are essential for DNA repair and synthetics.
• Chronic inflammation. Alcohol is inflammatory, meaning that it contributes to the inflammatory response in the body. Prolonged inflammation can damage healthy cells and tissue, plus weaken your immune system. 
• Liver function. Chronic alcohol consumption also affects the liver, causing it to suffer damage and grow scar tissue as a result. Once this happens, the liver can’t filter toxins as well, raising the risk for cancer. 
• Oxidative stress. Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. When your body is under this stress, it can suffer damage to proteins, membranes and genes, which can then cause cancer. 

What Cancers are Most Common with Alcohol Use?

Certain cancers are linked with alcohol, including esophageal cancer, liver cancer, head and neck cancers, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. It’s not uncommon for people who drink regularly to also have other bad habits, such as smoking tobacco, poor nutrition and a lack of exercise. These lifestyle habits can also increase the risk for certain cancers. 

It’s important to point out that just because you drink heavily does not mean you will develop cancer, and just because you drink in moderation does not mean you won’t. Many factors still influence the development of cancer, such as your genetics, lifestyle, environmental factors and drinking habits. For instance, do you drink every day? Do you drink to get drunk or to take the edge off? 

Alcohol Treatment Center in Easton, PA 

If you are looking to decrease your risk for cancer and lead a healthier life overall, quitting alcohol can help. Even though alcohol is legal doesn’t mean that it’s safe. Consuming alcohol on a regular basis not only puts you at a higher risk for cancer but also injuries, accidents, cardiovascular problems, obesity and more. 

Quitting alcohol cold turkey can be dangerous, so it’s important to speak with a medical professional before detoxing. It’s also important to get to the root of the problem, otherwise you could return to drinking in a few months. To learn more about the alcohol recovery services available through Recovery Cove, contact our team today at 484-549-COVE.