Consumption of alcohol has been linked to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute, alcohol is considered a carcinogen, which means it has been proven to cause cancer in humans.

In this article, we will discuss the different types of cancer that have been linked to heavy alcohol use.

Head and Neck Cancers

Heavy alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for head and neck cancers. These types of cancers are found in the mouth, throat, and larynx. Smoking and alcohol consumption together increase the risk of these cancers significantly.

According to the National Cancer Institute, people who consume three to four alcoholic drinks per day are two to three times more likely to develop oral and pharyngeal cancer than non-drinkers.

Esophageal Cancer

Heavy alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for developing esophageal cancer. The risk of esophageal cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.

According to the American Cancer Society, alcoholics are five times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than non-drinkers. The risk of developing this cancer is higher in people who smoke and drink together.

Liver Cancer

The liver is responsible for processing alcohol in the body. Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to the development of liver cirrhosis, which is a scarring of the liver tissue. Cirrhosis can develop into liver cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of liver cancer by two to three times.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. There is evidence to suggest that heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing breast cancer.

Women who consume alcohol have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who do not drink. According to the National Cancer Institute, women who drink two to three alcoholic drinks per day have a 20% higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who do not drink.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, people who consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day have a 50% higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than people who do not drink.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers with a very low survival rate. Heavy alcohol consumption is a risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, the risk of pancreatic cancer increases by 1.5 times in people who consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day.

Lung Cancer

The link between heavy alcohol consumption and lung cancer is not well understood. However, studies have shown that the risk of developing lung cancer is higher in people who both smoke and drink heavily.

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer.

Stomach Cancer

Heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to the development of stomach cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, people who consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day have a 50% higher risk of developing stomach cancer than non-drinkers.

The mechanism by which alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing cancers is not well understood. However, it is believed that alcohol damages DNA, which can lead to the formation of cancer.

Alcohol consumption is also known to increase the levels of estrogen and other hormones, which can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

Conclusion

Heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of developing several types of cancers, including head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer.

The risk of developing these cancers increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Therefore, it is recommended that people limit their alcohol consumption to reduce their risk of developing cancer.