The U.S. Surgeon General recently released a report advising the public on the link between alcohol and cancer. According to the report, alcohol consumption increases your risk for at least seven types of cancer, including liver, colon, and breast cancer, and drinking is a leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, contributing to almost 100,000 cancer cases a year.
Frances Lee, MD
“The advisory confirms what doctors have known for many years—alcohol causes cancer,” says Frances Lee, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Liver Diseases), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “This advisory is not meant to cause shame or fear, but to empower the public. We all have the right to know the risks of our daily choices, and this advisory is a way for people to know the risks of alcohol use from a reliable source.”
In this Q&A, Dr. Lee discusses what you need to know about the relationship between alcohol and cancer, how to reduce your risk, and how to get help if you need it.
How does alcohol cause cancer?
Alcohol and its metabolites causes inflammation and damage to DNA, which is the pathway for cancer development. Additionally, when you drink alcohol, you increase the absorption of other carcinogens in your environment—for example, chemicals from cigarette smoke. Alcohol can also increase various hormones levels, such as estrogen, increasing breast cancer risk.
What types of cancer does alcohol increase my risk for?
In addition to breast cancer, alcohol increases your risk for various digestive cancers, including in the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon. Alcohol also causes chronic liver disease, and alcohol-related liver disease is also now the leading indication for liver transplant.
Is there any safe amount of alcohol that I can drink?
There is technically no safe amount of alcohol to drink; as the surgeon general advisory notes, increases in alcohol intake leads to stepwise increases in risk for developing cancer. However, we live in a society where social events are often centered on alcohol intake. For those without risks for developing chronic diseases or certain cancers, it may be reasonable to consume no more than one standard beverage a day for women and no more than two standard beverages a day for men. In the end, you have to weigh the risks and benefits of alcohol in the context of each person’s unique risk factors.
How can I reduce my risk for alcohol-related cancers?
The only way to completely reduce your risk is to not drink alcohol. That can be difficult, even for people who are not heavy drinkers, since alcohol is part of our culture. But reducing your intake by any amount will decrease your risk for developing alcohol-related cancers.
When should I see a doctor?
Alcohol can cause various chronic disease that go unnoticed. As a liver doctor, I’m most concerned about alcohol-related liver disease that goes undiagnosed until it’s too late. Whether you are a heavy or moderate drinker, I recommend getting a regular checkup with standard blood work. If there is a problem with your liver enzymes, it is important to see a liver doctor and work together to reduce alcohol intake to allow the liver to heal and regenerate.
Are there any medications that can help me stop drinking?
There are medications that are very safe, even for people with liver disease. These medications are evidence-based and well tolerated. These medications reduce cravings by targeting the central nervous system, which has altered reward signals after years of alcohol intake. To be sure, the treatment of alcohol use disorder includes therapy/behavioral interventions, along with medications.