Alcohol cancer risk factor

The studies carried out in France are the only ones, they failed to demonstrate alcohol as a cancer risk factor. The data gathered in other regions indicate alcohol as an important cause of carcinogenesis. The risk of cancer development increases with the amount of alcohol consumed and becomes particularly high when accompanied by cigarette smoking (Anon., 1997 Doll, 1999). 

In summary, the true association between most dietary factors and the risk of colon cancer is unclear. The protective effects of fiber, calcium, and a diet low in fat are not completely known. Lifestyle factors such as NSAID use and hormone use appear to decrease the risk of colorectal cancer, whereas physical inactivity, alcohol use, and smoking appear to increase the risk of colon cancer. Clinical risk factors and genetic mutations are well-known risks for colon cancer. 

It has become customary among cancer epidemiologists to talk about certain lifestyle factors as important contributors to cancer risk. Lifestyle factors (smoking, dietary patterns, alcohol consumption) are assumed to be largely under the control of individuals. These are distinguishable from factors that are less directly in the control of individuals (occupation, medicines, consumer products), and those over which individuals have little or no control (food additives, pesticides, environmental pollutants). Just how much control individuals have over the various lifestyle factors is of course much debated. 

An increased incidence of cancer of the paranasal sinuses was observed in workers at factories where isopropyl alcohol was manufactured by the strong-acid process (lARC, 1987). The risk for laryngeal cancer may also have been elevated in these workers. It is unclear whether the cancer risk was due to the presence of diisopropyl sulfate, which is an intermediate in the process, to isopropyl oils, which are formed as by-products, or to other factors, such as sulfuric acid. 

Siemiatycki, J. (1991) Risk Factors for Cancers in the Workplace, Boca Raton. FL, CRC Press Vicas, I.M. Beck, R. (1993) Fatal inhalational isopropyl alcohol poisoning in a neonate. Clin. 

Nicotine [NIC o teen] is the active ingredient in tobacco. Although this drug is not currently used therapeutically (except in smoking cessation therapy, see p. 101), nicotine remains important because it is second only to caffeine as the most widely used CNS stimulant and is second to alcohol as the most abused drug. In combination with the tars and carbon monoxide found in cigarette smoke, nicotine represents a serious risk factor for lung and cardiovascular disease, various cancers, as well as other illnesses. 

Muscat JE, Wynder EL. 1992. Tobacco, alcohol, asbestos, and occupational risk factors for laryngeal cancer. Cancer 69 2244-2251. 

Oral cavity cancers have been associated with cigarettes, alcohol, and chewing tobacco or snuff or betel nut quid (popular in parts of Asia). Cancer of the oral cavity is not common in the Western world but frequently found in some developing countries including India, where it accounts for approximately 8% of all malignancies. Risk factors associated with oral cancers include excessive alcohol consumption, although the effects of alcohol are sometimes hard to differentiate from tobacco use since persons... 

Esophageal cancer has been related to the use of alcohol and nitrosamines and possibly chewing betel nut (popular in parts of Asia). Other risk factors include a history of ingestion of alkaline corrosive agents, including lye. Nutritional deficiencies have also been linked to this type of malignancy. 

It is estimated that in the developed world, most deaths are due to two major causes circulatory diseases (heart attacks and strokes) and cancer. A large proportion of these two diseases is attributable to environmental and lifestyle factors including diet, social status, cultural practices, tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse. In recent years health professionals and governments have begun to closely examine ways in which risk factors for these major killer diseases can be modified so as to reduce excess premature mortality from them. 

Cigarette smoking seems to increase gastric cancer risk approximately two-fold, though a dose-response relationship has not been identified. Alcohol consumption is not by itself an independent risk factor. 

In addition to meat consnmption, there is a correlation between a high intake of satnrated or animal fat and an elevated risk of CRC (Potter, 1999 Zock, 2001). Excess caloric intake has also been shown to be a risk factor, possibly due to hyperinsuhneamia associated with excess caloric intake and obesity. Finally, a high level of alcohol intake is also a risk factor for CRC (World Cancer Research Fnnd, 1997). 

Lachenmeier DW, Gumbel-Mako S, Sohnius E-M, Keck-Wilhelm A, Kratz E, Mildau G. Salivary acetaldehyde increase due to alcohol-containing mouthwash use a risk factor for oral cancer. Int J Cancer 2009 125(3) 730-5. 

Jacobson-Kram et al. (1993) studied the cancer risk in peripheral lymphocytes of a group of firefighters indueed by occupational exposition to products potentially carcinogenic resulted from the combustion and organic matter burning, by the presence of adducts in the DNA of these lymphocytes. In relation to the PAH-DNA adducts levels and the presence of benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE)-DNA in the peripheral lymphocytes of these professionals, the results found were not significative, however, when other factors, such as smoke and alcohol consumption, were associated, the PAH-DNA levels were increased. 

Brooks PJ, Enoch MA, Goldman D, Li TK, Yokoyama A. The alcohol flushing response an imrecognized risk factor for esophageal cancer from alcohol consumption. PLoS Med. 2009 6(3) e50. 

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