If any of you believe that drinking alcohol doesn’t cause cancer, well you might want to check up on that. A new study finds that alcohol contributes to one in every 30 cancer deaths annually in the United States. The American Journal of Public Health released the study on Friday saying that alcohol increases the risk of cancer by 15 percent, especially for breast cancer patients.
Out of the 1 out of 30 ratio, the study accounts for 6,000 cancers taking place in the mouth, throat, and esophagus each year. The report says that moderate drinkers can be at risk with 30 percent of alcohol-related cancer deaths happen after drinking less than two drinks a day. It’s also obvious that heavy drinkers have a more increased risk of cancer.
The research from the study compiles together data from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the 2009-2010 National Alcohol Survey, and the 2009 Alcohol Epidemiological Data System.
Boston University’s Dr Timothy Naimi led the study to determine the link between alcohol consumption and cancer. “The relationship between alcohol and cancer is strong, but is not widely appreciated by the public and remains under-emphasized even by physicians,” he said.
Alcohol, according to the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, is just an over-looked cancer-causing agent that’s easy to find. The program’s director, Dr. David Nelson, said that drinking alcohol always has a risk, even with claims that moderate drinking gives health benefits for the heart. Nelson “Alcohol causes 10 times as many deaths as it prevents,” Nelson told WebMD.
It’s unclear how alcohol and cancer are linked together. Researchers say that alcohol may have harmful chemicals that infest the DNA and prevents any repairs. Alcohol may also have an affect on hormone levels of estrogen, which may answer the increase in breast cancer. In order to fully understand the extent of drinking and cancer risk, the study suggests to speak with a doctor.