For years we have been aware that exposure to the sun can lead to developing skin cancer as well as smoking can develop lung cancer. However, a recently published report has revealed that alcohol drinking is responsible for more than 3.5% of all deaths due to cancer in the United States.
The new findings outline the risks of cancer linked to alcohol consumption. This type of examination is the first of its kind in more than 30 years. Analyzed by researchers were cancers of the esophagus, colon, rectum, liver, larynx, mouth, pharynx and female breast.
Surveys were examined by researchers from mortality data from 2009 and data from sales of alcohol consumption that involved more than 220,000 adults. Researchers were able to find that 15% of all deaths from breast cancer might be tied to alcohol. In males, cancer of the larynx, pharynx, mouth and esophagus all appeared to be the most commonly linked cancers to intake of alcohol.
Precisely the reason alcohol contributes to a cancer is unknown, although growing evidence shows there is a big correlation. Nevertheless, previous research showed that estrogen levels are affected by alcohol in women. Alcohol also works as a solvent thus allowing chemicals from tobacco to enter into the digestive tract.
There are other studies suggesting that in moderation alcohol use, such as red wine, is beneficial to the health. The authors of the current study however emphasized that 10 times the number of deaths are caused by alcohol compared to what it prevents.
