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Heavy Drinking and Cancer Risks

Peer Review Status: Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Information Service
First Published: 2003
Last Revised: December 2003

Over the past few years, scientists have studied alcohol intake and its relationship to developing cancer. Heavy alcohol drinking is linked to many types of cancer:

• Esophagus (food tube)
• Mouth and throat, voice box
• Liver
• Breast
• Colon

Scientists know that alcohol damages cells. It is this cell damage that causes cancer. Alcohol also depletes vitamin A and selenium, which may have a protective effect against cancer. Alcohol decreases the body's ability to fight off cancer by compromising the immune system. It also irritates the lining of internal organs.

Two drinks a day for males, and one drink per day for women defines "heavy" alcohol intake. One drink equals:

• One bottle (12 ounces) beer
• One 5 ounce glass of wine
• One shot (1.5 ounces) of 80 proof liquor

Limiting the intake of alcohol is the key to preventing alcohol related cancers. Many of the cancers brought on by alcohol are a result of heavy alcohol intake, so reducing the amount of alcohol consumed will lessen the risk considerably.

There is an intensifying effect in the development of head and neck cancers when cigarette smoking and alcohol are used together. The combined use of alcohol and smoking increases the risk for these cancers. Quitting smoking will lessen the risk of developing cancers in that area.