Alcohol increases the risk of oral and esophageal cancers, and when combined with smoking, that risk multiplies, according to a recent study referenced by the Helsinki-Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS) in a press release on Monday. The study, published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), assessed the impact of alcohol consumption on seven different types of cancer.
The report highlights that there is robust scientific evidence supporting the fact that reducing or completely eliminating regular alcohol consumption can lower the risk of developing oral and esophageal cancers. Professor Emeritus Mikko Salaspuro, who contributed to compiling the report, emphasizes that simply participating in dry January is not enough to mitigate the risk; a permanent reduction in alcohol consumption is necessary. This reduction not only helps minimize the risk of alcohol-related cancers, but also addresses alcohol-related problems and other associated diseases.
Professor Salaspuro has dedicated over three decades to studying the mechanisms of alcohol-related cancers at the University of Helsinki and HUS. His research team has completed numerous doctoral theses and scientific publications, which played a crucial role in the preparation of the IARC report.
Alcohol increases the risk of cancer when the bacteria and yeasts in the body convert it into acetaldehyde in the digestive tract. Acetaldehyde is a compound that binds to DNA, leading to carcinogenic mutations and inhibiting the repair of chromosomal damage. It is important to note that alcohol itself is not carcinogenic.
Using genetic studies, Professor Salaspuro’s research team established a causal link between acetaldehyde and upper gastrointestinal cancers. They also investigated factors that regulate acetaldehyde levels in saliva and colon contents during alcohol consumption. Although alcohol enters the intestines through the bloodstream, its effects vary from individual to individual, and the report suggests that evidence supporting the cancer risk-reducing effect of abstaining from alcohol consumption is weak.
The report specifically addresses the impact of acetaldehyde on liver and breast cancer development. While there is no evidence supporting a direct role of acetaldehyde, it indirectly affects these types of cancers.
Additionally, the report examines Finnish studies on the interaction between regular smoking and alcohol. These studies reveal that oral microbes produce twice as much acetaldehyde from ethanol in smokers compared to non-smokers. Since tobacco smoke contains acetaldehyde, the exposure to acetaldehyde in the mouth is considerably higher in individuals who both drink alcohol and smoke.
Furthermore, the report highlights that alcohol and tobacco contribute to a similar process of acetaldehyde formation in the pharynx and larynx. The data indicates that individuals who quit drinking alcohol have a 31% lower relative risk of developing laryngeal cancer compared to those who continue to consume alcohol regularly.
According to global estimates from 2020, approximately 741,300 people were diagnosed with alcohol-related cancers worldwide. This staggering number underscores the importance of understanding the correlation between alcohol consumption and cancer risk, and the urgent need to prioritize reducing alcohol intake.
It is crucial for individuals to recognize the significant impact that alcohol can have on their health, particularly when it comes to the development of oral and esophageal cancers. By reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, individuals can significantly lower their risk of alcohol-related cancers and prevent associated health complications.
