From the Guidelines
Ethanol consumption is associated with seven types of cancer: oral cavity (mouth) cancer, pharyngeal (throat) cancer, laryngeal (voice box) cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and female breast cancer, as established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and supported by recent studies 1.
Key Points
- The associations between ethanol consumption and these cancers are dose-dependent, meaning higher alcohol consumption increases cancer risk 1.
- Ethanol itself is not directly carcinogenic, but when metabolized in the body, it produces acetaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen that can damage DNA and proteins 1.
- Additionally, alcohol can act as a solvent for other carcinogens, increase estrogen levels (relevant for breast cancer), generate reactive oxygen species causing oxidative stress, and impair the body's ability to break down and absorb various nutrients that may protect against cancer 1.
- Even moderate drinking increases cancer risk, and there is no safe threshold for alcohol consumption regarding cancer prevention, as emphasized by the American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention 1.
Cancer Risk Attribution
- It is estimated that in 2014, alcoholic beverage consumption caused 5.6% of all incident cancer cases and 4% of all cancer deaths among males and females in the United States 1.
- A significant percentage of specific cancers are attributed to alcohol consumption, including 40.9% of oral cavity/pharynx cancers, 23.2% of larynx cancers, 21.6% of liver cancers, 21% of esophageal cancers, and 12.8% of colorectal cancers 1.
Recommendation
- To reduce cancer risk, limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption is recommended, as stated in the American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention 1.
- People who do choose to drink alcohol should limit their consumption to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men, as suggested by the American Cancer Society 1.
From the Research
Types of Cancer Associated with Ethanol Consumption
The following types of cancer have been associated with ethanol consumption:
- Oral cancer 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Pharyngeal cancer 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Laryngeal cancer 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Esophageal cancer 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Liver cancer 3, 4, 5, 6
- Colorectal cancer 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Breast cancer 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Mechanisms of Alcohol-Induced Carcinogenesis
The exact mechanisms by which ethanol consumption increases cancer risk are not fully understood, but several plausible events have been identified, including: