1mo ago

Alcohol use is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the US – report

www.theguardian.com Alcohol should carry warning label for cancer risk, US surgeon general says

Advisory warns alcohol is third leading preventable cause of cancer in US and seeks to raise consumer awareness

Summary

Alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, contributing to 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 deaths annually, according to a new US surgeon general advisory.

Breast cancer accounts for 16.4% of annual alcohol-related cancers, with alcohol increasing the risk of at least seven types, including liver, colorectal, and throat cancers.

Most deaths occur among heavy drinkers, though 17% occur within recommended limits.

Alcohol promotes cancer through DNA damage, inflammation, and hormone changes. Despite clear links, only 45% of Americans recognize alcohol as a cancer risk.

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Despite clear links, only 45% of Americans recognize alcohol as a cancer risk.
I admit, I was not aware it is such a big factor.
I do remember my biology teacher in the 70's saying that drinking heavily in the weekend or drinking moderately during the whole week, if it's similar amount of alcohol it's equally bad.
I wonder if that still goes regarding cancer?
- Yeah, the studies generally point to a cumulative effect. Basically the aldehyde byproduct of alcohol breakdown is also poisonous. It can lead to cancer growths so arguably binge drinking is worse in that respect because it takes longer for everything to clear.
  Interestingly, if there was a way to break that aldehyde down faster, then the cancer risk might go down significantly. It's just not super clear at this point.
  
  So if I understand correctly, my biology teacher was wrong?
  To be honest I always thought that, drinking a full bottle of alcohol quickly, will kill you, so IMO clearly a greater stress on the system. While spreading it out on the whole week, you may barely notice.
  
  There are people that die after drinking a 750ml bottle of spirits.
  Good rule of thumb is if you see someone drinking exponentially more than everyone else, but they dont really seem drunk, they are an enormous alcoholic and their tolerance is built up over years.
  Dont copy those people.
  
  Tolerance is a real thing and can be developed over time. However it's not clear if that has any relation to cancer risk, which appears to be related to ability to clear the aldehyde byproduct.
  
  There is a way! It’s called Zbiotics and it’s a real product despite the vibes. I use it every time I drink and it really does make a difference. I think the too-good-to-be-true vibes of the whole thing really does this great scientific advancement a real disservice. This stuff could be saving lives if scaled up.
  
  Different people process alcohol differently, I wonder if that means the cancer risk is different for them as well.

38 comments