Here’s another reason to go all out for Alcohol-Free January, if you need it: World Health Organization scientists have found that reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of oral and related cancers. New research shows that even moderate drinking is not harmless.
Scientists from the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer produced a special report, publish They reviewed data from dozens of earlier studies in the New England Journal of Medicine. They were looking for possible links between reducing alcohol consumption and subsequent reductions in the incidence of various cancers.
Overall, the team found a clear association between reducing alcohol consumption and lowering the risk of oral and esophageal cancer. They also found some limited evidence that drinking less alcohol reduces the risk of breast, throat and colorectal cancers, but not enough evidence that drinking less alcohol reduces the risk of liver and throat cancers. Finally, they found that acetaldehyde (a toxin produced when our bodies break down alcohol) is a key contributor to alcohol-related cancers, and that drinking less alcohol reduces our exposure to acetaldehyde.
Numerous studies show alcohol contributes to cancer.according to World Health OrganizationFor example, it is estimated that more than 740,000 cancer cases in 2020 were caused by alcohol consumption. But the authors say it’s valuable to understand the possible benefits of reducing alcohol consumption, especially since not all carcinogens are equal in increasing risk.
“This is important because some risks may not see much benefit after reducing or eliminating the risk. This is the case with some viral infections, such as hepatitis B or C. This is why hepatitis vaccination is recommended early in life,” the study said says author Farhad Islami, an epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society. Tell Statistics News. “We also want to see this kind of evidence before recommending guidelines for people, and this kind of research helps us make risk predictions for the future.”
Although scientists say more research is needed to quantify the benefits in reducing cancers outside of the mouth and esophagus, cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink may help you. But for those who want maximum cancer prevention, it’s best to quit altogether.Many studies have found that even light to moderate drinking increases risk cancer and other health problemsthe World Health Organization has previously stated that no true level of security Amount of alcohol consumed.
