Replying to @Raquel What does it mean when we say alcohol increases your cancer risk? Let’s break it down. 🍷🧬 There’s strong scientific evidence that alcohol drinking causes cancer. In fact, alcohol is classified as a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 📊 But what does relative risk mean? When studies say alcohol consumption increases the relative risk of cancer, here’s what it means: * Relative risk compares the chance of developing cancer in people who drink alcohol to those who don’t. * For example, if a risk is 1.5 times higher, it means drinkers are 50% more likely to develop that cancer than non-drinkers. * If the risk is 5 times higher, the chance is 5 times greater. 💡 And here’s the big picture: The more alcohol you drink, and the longer you’ve been drinking, the higher your risk. Even low levels of alcohol—like one drink per day—can modestly increase your risk. 📌 Which cancers are linked to alcohol? * Head & neck cancers (oral cavity, pharynx, larynx): Moderate drinkers have up to 1.8x higher risk; heavy drinkers up to 5x higher. * Esophageal cancer: Even light drinking increases risk. Heavy drinking? Nearly 5x higher. * Liver cancer: Heavy alcohol use doubles the risk. * Breast cancer: Women who drink even lightly have a 1.04x higher risk; heavy drinking raises the risk by 1.6x. * Colorectal cancer: Moderate to heavy drinking increases risk by 1.2–1.5x. 🍷 What about “safe” levels of alcohol? The most recent global research suggests that there is no safe level of alcohol when it comes to health risks, including cancer. The optimal amount for minimizing overall health risks is zero. 🧬 How does alcohol cause cancer? Scientists believe alcohol increases cancer risk in several ways: 1️⃣ It breaks down into acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can damage DNA. 2️⃣ It generates reactive oxygen species, which can harm DNA, proteins, and fats in the body. 3️⃣ It impairs the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients like folate and vitamins A, C, D, and E. 4️⃣ It increases estrogen levels in the blood, which is linked to breast cancer risk. 5️⃣ Alcohol can also contain carcinogenic contaminants introduced during production. 🚭 Alcohol + Tobacco = Multiplicative Risk If you drink and use tobacco, your risk skyrockets. For cancers like oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus, the combined risks of alcohol and tobacco are greater than adding them individually. 💬 Bottom Line: Understanding your risk helps you make informed choices. Whether it’s cutting back or avoiding alcohol altogether, every small step matters. - @oncology.nutrition.rd