As Dangerous as Smoking? Alcohol and Cancer
Some basic facts concerning alcoholism include: the disease afflicts nearly 14 million people nationwide, or nearly one in every 10 adults; it kills nearly 20,000 Americans each year, both directly and as a result of alcohol-related incidents and conditions.
A history of alcoholism and alcohol-dependency has also been found in nearly one-third of people diagnosed with psychotic disorders. The disease is clearly devastating in scope and impact, a strain on the public health system and a trauma for countless families nationwide…
However, even these staggering numbers may be an actual understatement of the true damage inflicted by alcoholism. A new international study has found that the cancer risk associated with heavy alcohol consumption has long been under reported and may rival even the risks posed by smoking. The study, conducted by the France-based International Agency for Research on Cancer, was recently published in The Lancet Oncology journal.
The research results lead to the conclusion that extreme levels of drinking and alcohol dependency can considerably increase the risk of a multitude of cancers. These include cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, liver, mouth and larynx. There is even the suggestion of a link between alcohol consumption and lung and pancreatic cancers, although there were not sufficient findings to be conclusive on these two cancers.
Some controversy was sparked in the medical community as a result of the cancer study results as other current studies have supported the idea that moderate alcohol consumption may lower heart disease risks. Cancer researcher stress that their study shows only the effects of heavy, long term drinking associated with alcoholism. Some doctors still continue to recommend certain drinks, such as a glass of wine, only in moderation by non-alcoholic adults.
The number of alcohol related deaths is overwhelming. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that alcoholism results in more than 320,000 deaths per year in the industrialized world, with approximately 185,000 being men and 142,000 being women. Rates of alcoholism in the population of developing countries can be higher, with alcohol being responsible for more than 1.5 million deaths in men and 300,000 in women yearly.
Public health officials consider the problem of alcohol consumption particularly acute in central and eastern Europe, where economic troubles and the affordability of highly-concentrated alcohols such as vodka have led to near-epidemic levels of alcoholism.
Some research has suggested that the increase in head and neck cancers in eastern European countries may be partially attributed to rising rates of alcoholism.
For those who believe they may be suffering from alcohol dependency, the 24-hour Alcohol Treatment Referral Hotline can be reached at 1-800-ALCOHOL. You can also contact your physician for a guide to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and other treatment options.
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