Knowing the risks and benefits of drinking is about more than just issuing "one size fits all" advice.
Family history, genetic makeup, and susceptibility to cancer and alcoholism will all play a role in one's decision to drink. Even a person's mental health - such as whether or not one is suffering from depression - can upset the balance and lead to addiction.
Other factors such as gender, level of physical activity, smoking habits and so forth will also play a role in how much alcohol a body can realistically tolerate, and if the health payoff is truly worth it. Most people are aware that heavy alcohol use can cause health complications, but it may not be so evident that alcohol use can increase the risk of cancer.
Over time, excessive alcohol use, both in the form of heavy drinking or binge drinking, can lead to health problems, chronic diseases, neurological impairments and social problems. Linked to alcohol use are cancers of the mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), esophagus, liver, colon and rectum, and breast. Risk increases with the quantity of alcohol consumed.
Long-term alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer. Regular, heavy alcohol use can damage the liver, leading to inflammation. This, in turn, may raise the risk of liver cancer. Alcohol use has also been linked with a higher risk of cancers of the colon and rectum.
As little as a few drinks a week is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer in women. This risk may be especially high in women who do not get enough folate (a B vitamin) in their diet or through supplements. Alcohol can affect estrogen levels in the body, which may explain some of the increased risk. Drinking less alcohol may be an important way for many women to lower their risk of breast cancer.
The type of alcohol found in alcoholic drinks is ethanol. Generally a standard size drink of any type - 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor - contains about the same amount of ethanol: about half an ounce. It must be noted that larger or stronger drinks contain more ethanol than this. The amount of alcohol consumed over time, not the type of alcoholic beverage, appears to be the most significant factor in raising cancer risk.
The exact ways in which alcohol affects cancer risk are not entirely understood.
Alcohol may act as an irritant, especially in the mouth and throat. Cells that are damaged may try to repair themselves, which may lead to DNA changes in the cells that can be a step toward cancer. In the colon and rectum, bacteria can convert alcohol into large amounts of acetaldehyde, a chemical that has been shown to cause cancer in lab animals. Alcohol and its byproducts can also directly damage the liver, leading to inflammation and scarring.
Alcohol may act as a solvent, helping other harmful chemicals, such as those found in tobacco smoke, to enter the cells, lining the upper digestive tract more easily. This may help explain why the combination of smoking and drinking is much more likely to cause cancers in the mouth or throat than either smoking or drinking alone.
Too much alcohol adds extra calories to the diet, which can contribute to weight gain. Being overweight or obese is known to increase the risks of many types of cancer. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, moderate alcohol consumption is defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Heavy or high-risk drinking is the consumption of more than three drinks on any day or more than seven per week for women, and more than four drinks on any day or more than 14 per week for men. Binge drinking is the consumption within two hours of four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men. The recommended limit is lower for women because of their smaller body size and because their bodies tend to break down alcohol more slowly. These daily limits do not mean one can drink larger amounts on fewer days of the week, since this can lead to health, social and other problems.
Evidence from observational studies has shown that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is not recommended that anyone begin drinking or drink more frequently on the basis of potential health benefits because moderate alcohol intake also is associated with increased risk of breast cancer, violence, drowning, and injuries from falls and motor vehicle crashes.
There are many circumstances in which people should not drink alcohol:
Individuals who cannot restrict their drinking to moderate levels.
Anyone younger than the legal drinking age of 21. Besides being illegal for anyone under age 21, consuming alcohol increases the risk of drowning, car accidents and traumatic injury, which are common causes of death in children and adolescents.
Women who are pregnant or who may be pregnant. Drinking during pregnancy may result in negative behavioral or neurological consequences in the offspring. No safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been established.
Individuals taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol.
Individuals with certain specific medical conditions (e.g., liver disease, hypertriglyceridemia, pancreatitis).
Individuals who plan to drive, operate machinery or take part in other activities that require attention, skill, or coordination or in situations where impaired judgment could cause injury or death (e.g., swimming).
Since 1974, CASAC, a United Way supported agency, has provided prevention education and community awareness regarding alcohol and other drugs. CASAC is the only New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) approved and supported alcohol and other drug prevention agency in Chautauqua County. For further information about CASAC programs and services, call the Jamestown office at 664-3608, or the Dunkirk office at 366-4623, or go to CASAC's website, www.casacweb.org.