Drinking alcohol is part of the daily routine of many people worldwide. It can be consumed during social events, as a stress reliever or as part of meals.

Alcohol drinking has many health benefits, but excessive drinking or drinking too frequently increases the risk of developing cancer.

1. Mouth and Throat Cancer

Heavy alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for mouth and throat cancer. When alcohol comes into contact with cells, it damages them, leading to abnormal cells growth and potentially developing into cancer.

Combining heavy alcohol consumption and smoking tobacco significantly worsens the condition. Alcohol causes epithelial cells’ stability to weaken and leads to mutations, leading to severe and chronic mouth and throat diseases, cancer included.

2. Liver Cancer

A high intake of alcohol leads to liver complications, including liver tissue inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis) and severe liver scarring (cirrhosis). Persistently injuring liver cells leads to mutations and the development of liver cancer.

3. Colorectal Cancer

Alcohol, when taken in excess, can act as a carcinogen, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer in men and women.

Repeated alcohol use and abuse cause the intestinal wall’s erosion, affecting the colon’s ability to absorb essential nutrients, promoting cancer development.

4. Breast Cancer

Breast cancer in women is prevalent across all generations. However, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the disease’s development even in non-breast cancer-prone families.

Research indicates that heavy drinking increases estrogen hormone production, resulting in changes in ones’ DNA and increasing mutations that cause breast cancer.

5. Stomach Cancer

Drinking alcohol can cause swelling, sores, and ulcers on the stomach. Alcohol irritates the stomach lining, leading to inflammation and swelling, leading to cancerous changes.

Stomach cancer is common in people who consume high amounts of alcohol over an extended period, eats poorly, and smokes.

6. Pancreatic Cancer

Alcohol consumption causes pancreatic cells to release more digestive enzymes, leading to inflammation and damage.

Heavy alcohol consumption over an extended period affects the pancreatic functionality and leads to inflammation, cancerous changes, and other severe complications.

7. Brain Cancer

Alcohol consumption is known to cause damage to brain cells, leading to uncontrollable cell division and the development of brain cancer. Heavy alcohol consumers are more vulnerable to the disease, and the risk increases significantly with age.

Conclusion

The risks of developing cancer from alcohol consumption increase with the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed. It is vital to moderate alcohol intake and avoid binge drinking, which is drinking too much alcohol in one sitting.

It is best to consume alcohol in moderation, not more than one drink per day for women and not more than two drinks per day for men.