Can Alcohol Contribute To Cancer?
Evidence Shows Alcohol May Indeed Increase Your Risk Of Cancer
There is an abundance of research available on the link between cancer and the foods and beverages we consume. With so much conflicting information and statistics, it can be difficult to find the right answer.
When it comes to your health, knowledge is power. Our team at The Law Firm created this latest infographic, “Too Much to Drink: It Turns Out Alcohol May Give You Cancer,” to shine a light on the indisputable evidence that ties alcohol consumption to seven different forms of cancer.
These latest findings by the journal Addiction links alcohol to cancer of the oropharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum and breast. Here at The Law Firm, we encounter patients who are living with these forms of cancer and dealing with the side effects or complications that arise from cancer treatments like Taxotere. We’ve seen how life altering these drug side effects can be, so we know the importance of education around cancer prevention.
Alcohol and Breast Cancer
Out of every 1,000 women:
110 will be diagnosed with breast cancer, even if they were to consume no alcohol;
For every additional 7 pints of beer consumed each week, an additional 20 women out of 1,000 will get breast cancer;
And for every additional 14 pints of alcohol a week, 50 more women will get breast cancer.
These numbers are impossible to ignore. This study finds that 5.8% of cancer deaths are the direct result of alcohol. In the United States alone, 40,610 women are projected to die of breast cancer in 2017. If we use the rates projected in the study, that would mean that of those 40,610 breast cancer deaths, 2,355 (or 5.8%) of those women will die as a result of drinking alcohol.
The reason? Alcohol may damage DNA cells and increase the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, both of which are linked to breast cancer.
Cut back on the booze
The target consumption for both men and women is 14 units of alcohol a week (or 7 pints of beer) – but the benefits go beyond health.
Cutting down on alcohol can also help your wallet. We currently spend $416.72 per capita on alcohol in the US, up from $379.25 in 2010.
Even more, limiting your alcohol consumption – or cutting it out entirely – can actually reverse the risk of several cancers. To help you cut back, we’ve compiled some tips:
Quit smoking: The combination of smoking and drinking can increase the risk of throat and mouth cancer
Consume smaller servings
Swap out alcohol for water or a soft drink
Avoid storing a lot of alcohol at home
Read through our latest infographic to learn more about how you can cut out alcohol and reduce your risk of this life threatening disease.
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