How does alcohol addiction increase cancer risk?

2 min read
26 December 2022

You probably already know that smoking and excessive sun exposure can cause cancer. However, you might not be aware of cancer risks from alcohol addiction in Calgary

According to research, drinking alters our bodies' chemistry and other physical processes, increasing the risk of cancer. Around 5% of all new cancer diagnoses and cancer-related deaths worldwide are directly attributable to alcohol.



How does alcohol addiction increase cancer risk?

When you consume alcohol, your body gives breaking it down the highest priority to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Alcohol degradation produces hazardous compounds. Alcoholism also prevents the body from effectively metabolising and absorbing vital nutrients. Alcohol thus increases the risk of developing cancer by:

  • Causing damage to the body's proteins, lipids, and DNA.
  • Reducing the availability of critical nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, D, E and B, can fight cancer. This affects carotenoids and other non-vitamin substances.
  • Increasing the blood's oestrogen levels

Numerous alcoholic beverages also include additional carcinogens. These different compounds cause more harm to the body and exacerbate how alcohol affects cancer risk.



Alcohol and various cancers

Some different body areas are more likely to get cancer from alcohol addiction in Calgary. They consist of your:



  • Liver 

The primary function of this organ is to filter poisons and blood. Additionally, alcohol harms liver cells. Drinking excessively can damage and scar your liver. If you drink more alcohol than you should, your risk of developing liver cancer increases by twice.

  • Rectum and colon 

Heavy drinkers are more likely to get colon or rectum cancer than even heavy drinkers among women. Overall, the risks are 44% higher for heavy drinkers of both sexes than for non-drinkers.



  • Esophagus (food pipe)

Your chance of esophageal cancer, which can be deadly and aggressive, increases the more you drink. Squamous cell carcinoma, a form of cancer that develops in the lining of your oesophagus, is particularly susceptible to alcohol.

  • Throat and mouth

Heavy drinkers are five times more likely to develop cancer than non-drinkers. This is due to alcohol's adverse effects on the tissues cells. Additionally, the risk increases if you also smoke since alcohol can facilitate the entry of damaging tobacco compounds into cells.

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