It can all seem normal while having a few drinks at a party or in the evening after a long day at work. Alcohol surely helps in feeling better but what often goes unnoticed is the health issues it poses. Continuous consumption of alcohol can lead to problems like alcohol poisoning, risk of dependency, etc. but what’s more dangerous is the risk of cancer. Alcohol addiction can increase the risk of developing cancer.
How Does Alcohol Increase The Risk Of Cancer?
There is a strong link between alcohol and developing 7 different types of cancer. But many users are unaware of how these links work. Hence, we are here to help you. Following are the ways by which alcohol can develop cancer.
- Alcohol contains ethanol which is a chemical difficult for the body to break down. This results in creating a compound that is responsible for developing cancer.
- Ethanol contains acetaldehyde which can cause severe irreparable damage to the DNA.
- Alcohol also damages tissues. When the body tries to heal itself, the damage in DNA can lead the cancer cells to grow.
- Alcohol enhances the production of estrogen in women leading to the development of breast cancer
- Alcohol is rich in calories which means it leads to obesity and obesity increases the risk of cancer.
- Alcohol also damages the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. This makes the body weak, developing a risk of cancer.
Types of Cancer Developed Due To Alcohol
Alcohol can cause 7 different types of cancers. Those are:
- Mouth and throat
- Breast
- Esophagus
- Rectum
- The larynx or the voice box
- Colon
- Liver
How Much Alcohol Can Cause Cancer?
Alcohol can cause cancer and the amount varies from person to person. In some cases, even a few drinks can cause cancer whereas, for others, it might take heavy drinking to do so. However, there are some limits set by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism which define heavy drinking:
- More than 4 drinks a day or more than 14 drinks a week for men
- More than 3 drinks a day or more than 7 drinks a week for women
If anyone is already consuming the above-mentioned amounts of alcohol, they are at a high risk of developing cancer. In such a case it is advisable to go for alcohol detox before cancer seeps in.
You can visit Mallard Lake Detox Center in Houston, Texas for successful alcohol detox. We have experts who can guide you through the entire process and also do a regular health check-ups to identify other underlying health issues. Contact us now to begin your journey on the path toward sobriety.