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NEW DELHI,February 29,2024 – Even a single daily alcoholic drink-roughly 9 grams of alcohol-is linked to a 50% increase in the risk of mouth cancer in India,according to a large new study. the research highlights a notably strong connection between locally brewed alcoholic beverages and this increased risk.
A Dangerous Combination: Alcohol and Tobacco
Table of Contents
A new study reveals even small amounts of alcohol consumption significantly raise the risk of mouth cancer, especially when combined with tobacco use.
- Mouth cancer is the second most common cancer in India, with over 143,000 new diagnoses annually.
- Consuming as little as 9 grams of alcohol per day (about one standard drink) increases mouth cancer risk by 50%.
- Locally brewed alcohol poses the greatest threat, with an 87% higher risk compared to non-drinkers.
- The combination of alcohol and tobacco increases risk more than fourfold, accounting for 62% of buccal mucosa cancer cases.
- There is no safe limit of alcohol consumption for mouth cancer risk.
A extensive study, published recently, examined the habits of over 12,000 individuals between 2010 and 2021, recruiting from five study centers across India.
Rising rates and Poor Outcomes
Mouth cancer is a significant public health concern in India, with an estimated 143,759 new cases and 79,979 deaths each year. Incidence rates are climbing,nearing 15 cases per 100,000 Indian men.Sadly, survival rates are low, with only 43% of patients living five years or longer after diagnosis.
What is the link between alcohol and mouth cancer? Researchers believe ethanol alters the fat content of the mouth’s lining, making it more vulnerable to carcinogens in chewing tobacco.
Untangling the effects of alcohol and tobacco is challenging, particularly in India where smokeless tobacco is widely used. The study also sheds light on the often-overlooked health consequences of locally brewed alcohol, which is prevalent in rural areas.
Drinking Habits Under Scrutiny
Participants provided detailed facts about their alcohol consumption, including the type and amount of alcohol consumed-covering 11 internationally recognized drinks like beer, whisky, and vodka, and also 30 locally brewed varieties such as apong, bangla, and desi daru. They also reported on their tobacco use, allowing researchers to assess the combined impact on cancer risk.
Among those with cancer, 781 reported drinking alcohol, compared to 481 in the control group. Individuals with cancer also reported longer tobacco use (averaging 21 years versus 18 years for controls) and were more likely to live in rural areas, consuming nearly 37 grams of alcohol daily compared to 29 grams among those without cancer.
The Dose-Response Relationship
Frequent alcohol consumption was strongly associated with increased cancer risk, with locally brewed alcohol posing the greatest threat. Compared to non-drinkers, those who consumed alcohol had a 68% higher risk of buccal mucosa cancer. This risk climbed to 72% for those who preferred internationally recognized drinks and soared to 87% for those who favored locally brewed alcohol.
Alarmingly, even minimal alcohol intake was linked to increased risk. consuming less than 2 grams of beer per day still showed a correlation. The combined effect of alcohol and tobacco was particularly devastating, resulting in a more than fourfold increase in risk. Researchers estimate that this dangerous pairing accounts for 62% of all buccal mucosa cancer cases in India.
The heightened risk associated with locally brewed alcohol may stem from contamination with toxic substances like methanol and acetaldehyde, due to largely unregulated production practices. Some locally brewed options contain up to 90% alcohol content.
the researchers noted that India’s alcohol control framework is complex, with both central and state laws governing production, distribution, and sale.However, the locally brewed liquor market remains largely unregulated.
the analysis suggests that alcohol consumption contributes to over 11.5% of buccal mucosa cancer cases in India. In states with particularly high disease rates-Meghalaya, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh-this proportion rises
