Researchers from Florida Atlantic University determined that alcohol consumption may boost the danger of developing cancerous illnesses not only in cases of abuse but also with moderate intake.
These findings were presented in a systematic review published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology (CE).
Scientists examined the outcomes of 62 studies, involving from tens to nearly 100 million individuals, and established that both the frequency of consumption and the volume of alcohol have a direct link to rising oncological hazards.
The most compelling correlations were found in instances of cancer of the:
breast,
bowel,
liver,
esophagus,
stomach,
larynx,
and oral cavity.
Alcohol also worsens the disease prognosis: in patients with alcoholic liver disease, cancer of this organ was diagnosed at later phases and was accompanied by reduced survival rates.
People suffering from the following show particular susceptibility:
obesity,
diabetes,
chronic liver ailments,
as well as members of socioeconomically disadvantaged and certain racial segments, even with similar or lesser levels of alcohol intake.
The investigators note that the peril develops not only due to the alcohol itself but also under the influence of a mixture of biological and societal elements, such as:
age of starting use,
gender,
genetic predisposition,
smoking,
lifestyle,
and availability of healthcare.
At a biological level, alcohol:
damages DNA via acetaldehyde formation,
disrupts hormonal equilibrium,
amplifies oxidative stress,
and facilitates the entry of carcinogens.
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