Is There A Alcohol-Cancer Link? Study Suggests Evidence Is ‘Strong’

According to Mashable, seven different types of cancer have been linked to alcohol consumption. In fact, a new study confirms the alcohol-cancer link is so strong the cancer risks of drinking alcohol outweigh any health benefits. Located in the commentary section of a journal Addiction called “For Debate,” is where you can find a New Zealand researcher who is warning about the strong alcohol-cancer link as the consumption of alcohol has been linked to at least seven different types of cancer.

Jennie Connor, an epidemiologist and the author of the commentary, spent time reviewing epidemiological and biological research on the alcohol-cancer link and concluded the evidence within the research confirms the link is strong enough to support the theory that alcohol consumption is a cause of cancer.

Scientists now say alcohol is a direct cause of seven forms of cancer. https://t.co/hkpyxAis30 http://pic.twitter.com/hXZ8ctO4gA

— MUNCHIES (@munchies) July 22, 2016

Of the seven different types of cancer this epidemiologist believes alcohol consumption causes includes breast, colon, and liver cancer. In her notes, she goes on to say the how strong or weak the effect of the alcohol consumption is may vary, however, the fundamental relationship showing an alcohol-cancer link does exist is there.

This commentary is just the latest string of research to show an alcohol-cancer link exists, according to TIME. The conclusions she has made regarding the alcohol-cancer link are based on comprehensive analyses and research carried out over the last 10 years by the World Cancer Research Fund and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In 2013, a paper was published in the journal Future Oncology which made similar claims about the existence of an alcohol-cancer link.

“Alcohol consumption is one of the most important known risk factors for human cancer and potentially one of the most avoidable factors, but it is increasing worldwide.”

Roughly 5.8 percent of all cancer-related deaths (which is nearly half a million deaths) were confirmed to be connected to the alcohol-cancer link in 2012, Mashable reports.

How does alcohol cause cancer? Read some of the leading theories in our blog https://t.co/6m8OQPoC0G http://pic.twitter.com/xqqwHXCxgO

— Cancer Research UK (@CR_UK) July 23, 2016

Naturally, the manufacturers of alcohol in the United States are pushing back against this analysis.

“To declare that alcohol definitively causes cancer based upon cherry-picked epidemiology articles lacks scientific credibility.” Sam Zakhari, senior vice president of scientific affairs for Distilled Spirits Council, a national trade group, said in an emailed statement.

“Cancer is a complex disease that is not yet entirely understood and requires more research.”

The reports Connor completed did note the risks of getting cancer through alcohol consumption were much higher for heavy drinkers. This group was defined as men who drink more than four alcoholic beverages in a day and women who drink more than three alcoholic beverages in a day.

However, with this alcohol-cancer link that even light consumption can “minimally” increase the risk of cancer. The question is – what is considered “one alcoholic beverage,” anyway? In the U.S., one alcoholic beverage is the equivalent of drinking 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of win, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

Strong evidence that alcohol is a direct cause of SEVEN kinds of cancer — breast, colon, liver, rectum and others. https://t.co/6Xxn5RlRQx

— Nigel Britto (@NigelBritto) July 23, 2016

The risk of developing cancer, then, multiplies for someone who smokes regularly in addition to drinking. This is when cancers of the esophagus, mouth, pharynx, and larynx come into play.

This does not necessarily mean that individuals who drink and smoke are doomed to get cancer – this research just wants individuals who consume alcohol to be aware of the alcohol-cancer link. Other factors such as UV exposure, smoking regularly, or having certain cancers that run in the family in addition to alcohol consumption are generally what make the alcohol-cancer link more dangerous and scary to individuals who regularly consume alcohol.

What do you think about this alcohol-cancer link? Is it enough to make you want to give up drinking or to have a talk with a family member who likes to drink?

[Image via iStock by Getty Images]

Is There A Alcohol-Cancer Link? Study Suggests Evidence Is ‘Strong’ is an article from: The Inquisitr News