‘Tis the season of twinkling lights, travel, tradition—and increased alcohol consumption. Regardless of your faith or lack of faith, your winter holiday season probably includes office parties, family gatherings, and friend celebrations. During this “most beautiful time of the year” some people are more likely to drink over their limits, according to National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
While immediate the dangers of alcoholsuch as fainting spells and impaired drivingare well-known substances links with cancer they obviously didn’t. Most Americans (60%) are unaware that drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer, per new poll which he implements Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) at the University of Pennsylvania.
In September, more than 1,700 American adults over the age of 18 were surveyed by the APCC. Annenberg Public Health Attitudes Surveyand the results were announced on November 22. The participants were asked the question: “How much do you know, (does it increase), (decreases) or does regular alcohol consumption have no effect on your chances of later developing cancer, or are you not sure?” ” They answered (total exceeds 100% due to rounding):
- Increase: 40%
- Reduction: 1%
- No effect: 20%
- I’m not sure: 40%
“Public health messages from Fr risks associated with alcohol consumption must overcome the effects of decades of sophisticated marketing and positive media portrayals,” Patrick Jamieson, Ph.Ddirector of APPC Annenberg Health and Risk Communication Institutesaid in news release about the survey.
Beer, wine, alcohol, all related to cancer
If you consume alcohol at all, you are at risk. Regardless of whether your drink is beer, wine or liquor, all alcoholic beverages are linked to cancer, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Your body metabolizes the ethanol in your drink into a possible carcinogen called acetaldehyde. This toxic chemical can damage your DNA, creating damaged cells that can turn into cancer. And that’s just one of the ways alcohol can increase your risk of disease. Alcohol can increase the level of estrogen in the blood, the sex hormone associated with risk of breast canceras well as interfering with your ability to absorb and break down nutrients thought to be linked to cancer risk, according to National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Alcohol increases your chances of developing these types of cancer American Cancer Society:
- Breasts (in women)
- Colon and rectum
- Esophagus
- Liver
- Mouth
- throat (pharynx)
- voice box (larynx)
In addition, the CDC notes that alcohol can increase the risk of prostate cancer in men, and research has shown that drinking three or more alcoholic drinks a day increases the risk of stomach and pancreatic cancer. Per year, alcohol-related cancers kill about 20,000 adults nationwide.
The more you drink, regularly and over time, the higher your chances of developing cancer, the NCI says—even if you consume just one drink a day. And once the damage is done, it can take years to repair, if at all. One studyfor example, it showed that it would take more than 35 years for former drinkers to reduce their risk of laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer compared to non-drinkers.
What is considered moderate drinking?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults 21 and older drink no more than one (women) or two (men) drinks per day. NIAAA believes “standard” drink contain 14 grams, or 0.6 fluid ounces, of pure alcohol:
- 12 ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol)
- 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol)
- 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% alcohol)
More than half of American adults consume alcohol, according to the CDC. About 6% drink a lot (eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more for men), and 17% binge drinking (four or more drinks at one time for women and five or more for men).
How to keep your composure during the holidays
Whether you’re sober, it is alcohol use disorderor want to rein in your drinking habits, avoiding alcohol—especially during the winter holiday season—can be difficult. The American Psychiatric Association offers these tips for Christmas sobriety:
- Plan ahead: Strategize for holiday events, including “escape routes” if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
- Look for support: Contact support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)friends or family members who can provide help and encouragement.
- Avoid triggers: Recognize and avoid situations or people that may trigger your desire to drink.
- Focus on non-alcoholic options: Enjoy soft drinks participate in parties without alcohol.
- Practice self-care: Prioritize self-care get enough rest, eat welland stress management.
- Develop coping strategies: Learn healthy adaptive coping mechanisms to deal with stress, anxietyand cravings.
If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol, NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator can connect you with self-guided programs, telehealth treatments, mutual support groups and health professionals who are trained to help. If you need urgent support, please contact us 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
More about how alcohol affects your health:
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