THE tragic reality is that half of all Britons will develop cancer at some point in their lives.
So it’s worth doing everything we can to reduce the risk, even if it means giving up some of the things we love, like booze.
Doctors say there are 7 known cancers that are directly caused by drinking alcohol.
These are:
- Mond
- upper throat
- larynx
- Esophagus
- Chest
- Lever
- colon
Now there is even clearer evidence that alcohol increases the risk of cancer, which has been highlighted by experts in updated physician guidelines.
About one in 25 newly diagnosed cancer cases in the past year has been linked to drinking alcohol, according to a global study published in The Lancet Oncologie.
The guideline, published by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), suggests ways health professionals can help reduce new alcohol-related cancers.
It called on physicians to educate patients about the risks of cancer from alcohol consumption and to provide guidance and support to those seeking to reduce their alcohol consumption.
According to a previous study from the University of Oxford, all types of alcohol can significantly increase your risk of seven different types of cancer.
Experts think this is due to a harmful chemical called acetaldehyde, which is produced by our bodies when we process alcohol.
The Oxford researchers found that acetaldehyde can break and damage DNA in stem cells — the building blocks of all organs, tissues, blood and the immune system.
The research, published in Nature, also found that some people who drink alcohol have a higher risk of developing cancer than others.
For those who develop a red complexion when they drink or feel unwell, experience four times as much DNA damage compared to those who don’t have those symptoms.
This is because some people lack the enzyme known as aldehyde dehydrogenases, which breaks down and removes harmful acetaldehyde made by our bodies in response to drink.
11 ways to spot cancer – according to the NHS
Cancer symptoms can be comprehensive and can often be masked as everyday illnesses such as the common cold or the flu.
But it’s always better to exercise caution if you have any of these symptoms and talk to your GP, which could be a sign of cancer according to the NHS:
1. Cough, chest pain and shortness of breath
2. Changes in bowel habits
3. Bloating
4. Bleeding
5. Chunks
6. Mol
7. Unexplained Weight Loss
8. Abdominal or Back Pain
9. Indigestion and Heartburn
10. Itchy or Yellow Skin
11. Feeling tired and unwell
Meanwhile, another study found that 61 percent of cancers per year could have been prevented if people had stopped smoking.
Smoking is known to cause at least 15 cancers, including lung, larynx, esophagus, oral cavity, nasopharynx, pharynx, bladder, pancreas, kidney, liver, stomach, intestine, cervix -, leukemia and ovarian cancer.