Cancer alcohol-related risks

Heavy drinking over an extended period of time can damage almost every organ system in the body. Chronic illness is almost inevitable following prolonged alcohol abuse and the risk of cancer is increased, often in a linear, dose-dependent manner. Unfortunately, women are more prone to alcohol-related liver, heart and brain damage than men, as well as certain types of cancer. 

The problems of alcohol dependence and alcoholism are dealt with in Chapter 10. Suffice it to say here that problem drinkers risk numerous psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression, and may experience physical withdrawal symptoms. There are also numerous medical problems related to heavy, chronic alcohol consumption these include increased risk of coronary heart disease, liver cirrhosis, impotence and infertility, cancer and stroke (Chapter 10). It is estimated that alcohol plays a part in up to 33,000 deaths per year in the UK (DoH, 2001). Within the last year 1 in 4 adults will have experienced loss of memory following an alcoholic binge, injured themselves or... 

Compared to the general population, Adventists have an exceptionally low risk of fatal lung cancer and other diseases which are strongly related to cigarette or alcohol use. They also appear to have a marked reduction in risk of death from large bowel cancer, coronary disease, stroke, diabetes, and nontraffic accidents. 

There is no question that alcohol abuse contributes significantly to liver-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Long-term alcohol use is the leading cause of illness and death from liver disease. There are three phases of alcohol-induced liver damage, alcoholic fatty liver, which is usually reversible with abstinence alcoholic hepatitis or inflammation and alcoholic cirrhosis or scarring of the liver. Patients with both alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatitis have a death rate of more than 60% over a 4-year period. The prognosis is bleaker than the outlook for many types of cancers. As many as 900 000 people in the United States suffer from cirrhosis and some 26 000 of these die each year. The risk for liver disease is related to how much a person drinks the risk is low at levels of alcohol consumption but steeply increases with higher levels of consumption. Because effects of alcohol are dose-related and because of the steepness at which the adverse effects are... 

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. 

Longnecker MR Alcohol consumption in relation to risk of breast cancer. 

Bailey, L. B., Folate, methyl-related nutrients, alcohol, and the MTHFR 677C—>T polymorphism affect cancer risk Intake recommendations, J. Nutr. 133, 3748S— 37538, 2003. 

A distinct relation between parental occupational exposure and childhood cancer was shown for solvents and paints. High parental exposure resulted in higher incidences of childhood cancers. In the same study, however, generally more cancers were found as a result of parental use of alcohol and tobacco smoke. Childhood leukemia and nervous system cancers, in particular, are the types suspected to be caused by parental exposure to paints and solvents. Kishi et al. described an elevated risk for acute lymphatic leukemia in children of mothers with prenatal exposures to benzene and to paints. In former studies with small numbers of children these tendencies could also be shown, mainly in male painters whose children showed a higher incidence of childhood leukemia and brain tumors. 18.3.4.2.4 Respiratory effects... 

Insomnia is characterized as being primary where there is no obvious medical or psychiatric cause. It is a common clinical problan wherein 10-20% of people have chronic insomnia, characterized by trouble sleeping more than three nights a week. It has been directly linked to numerous impacts on individuals such as daytime fatigue, inattention, irritability, poor mood, and reduced energy levels. Consequently, they have reduced productivity, higher woik absenteeism, and an increased risk of depression or substance abuse. There is also a greater risk of traffic and woik-related accidents. Furthermore, studies have shown direct links between circadian rhythm disturbance and an increased risk in health problems, such as diabetes, metabolic disorders and depression. Insomnia is considered secondary if it is caused by external factors such as health conditions, for example, cancer, heart problems, depression, asthma, arthritis, or pain, or as a side effect of medication, or a substance, such as alcohol. 

Longnecker MP, Orza MJ, Adams ME, Vioque J, Chalmers TC. A meta-analysis of alcoholic beverage consumption in relation to risk of colorectal cancer. Cancer Causes Control. 1990 1(1) 59—68. 

Leitzman, M.F. et al.. Prospective study of alcohol consumption patterns in relation to symptomatic gallstone disease in men. AlcohoUsm, Clin. Exp. Res., 23, 835, 1999. Tavani, A. et al.. Alcohol intake and risk of cancers of the colon and rectum, Nutr. Cancer, 30, 213, 1998. 

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