Node Smith, ND

The Link Between Alcohol Consumption and Cancer

Many Americans are not aware that alcohol intake is linked to many forms of cancer, regardless of whether intake is considered light, moderate, or heavy.¹ According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), alcohol is considered a “definite” risk factor for several cancers. The ASCO says that evidence supports that between 5 – 6 percent of new cancers and cancer deaths are directly associated with alcohol use.

Cancer Opinion Survey

There is added concern to this statistic given that 70% of Americans do not associate alcohol use with cancer risk, according to a national Cancer Opinion Survey, conducted earlier this year. The survey questioned 4,016 adults over 18 years old, believed to represent a broad range of the U.S. population. The intention of the survey was to get an idea of the current attitudes and opinions of the population on cancer. Not surprisingly, most of those questioned accurately identified tobacco and sun exposure as risk factors for cancer, 78% and 66% respectively. However, only 30% thought that drinking beer, wine or hard alcohol was a risk factor for cancer.

Alcohol Can Increase the Risk of Several Cancers

According to the ASCO, alcohol can increase the risk of several cancers, including those of the head and neck, breast, colon, esophagus and liver. Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in America. ASCO president, Ben Johnson says, “the link between increased alcohol consumption and cancer has been firmly established and gives the medical community guidance on how to help their patients reduce their risk of cancer.”

Even low Consumption of Alcohol is a Cancer Risk

Cancer risk does increase as alcohol intake increases, however, even low intake – which is defined as consuming less than the recommended daily limit – may increase risk. In addition, alcohol use may have a negative impact on the treatment of cancer, and oncologists are attempting to identify ways to help patients lower their consumption of alcohol.

Source:

1. Loconte NK, Brewster AM, Kaur JS, Merrill JK, Alberg AJ. Alcohol and Cancer: A Statement of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2017;:JCO2017761155.

Photo by Kelsey Knight on Unsplash

Node Smith, ND, is a naturopathic physician in Portland, OR and associate editor for NDNR. He has been instrumental in maintaining a firm connection to the philosophy and heritage of naturopathic medicine among the next generation of docs. He helped found the first multi-generational experiential retreat, which brings elders, alumni, and students together for a weekend camp-out where naturopathic medicine and medical philosophy are experienced in nature. Four years ago he helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic ReVitalization (ANR), for which he serves as the board chairman. ANR has a mission to inspire health practitioners to embody the naturopathic principles through experiential education. Node also has a firm belief that the next era of naturopathic medicine will see a resurgence of in-patient facilities which use fasting, earthing, hydrotherapy and homeopathy to bring people back from chronic diseases of modern living; he is involved in numerous conversations and projects to bring about this vision.