Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Cancer

Alcohol consumption in excess is one of the major causes of cancer. Cancer kills almost around five hundred thousand Americans every year. It is the next highest killer after heart diseases.

The most common cancers afflicting people is the breast, lung and bowel cancer. There is enough evidence to prove that alcohol consumption is one of the major causes for being afflicted with cancer. An astounding two to four percent of cancer cases are due to alcohol consumption.

Cancer due to excessive consumption of alcohol occurs mainly in the mouth, pharynx and oesophagus. Alcohol is also associated with liver and colorectal cancer. As we know, cancer is nothing but the affected cells of the body growing without any control. These cells get formed into masses and infiltrate the normal tissues and cells of the body destroying them.

There is a regulation followed by the body as per its nature whereby the cells grow and multiply within the specified framework of the tissues in the body. When the cancer cells start growing and acting independently, problem starts. These cells do not restrict their growth with the boundaries of the tissues.

Carcinogen is the substance which promotes the initiation and promotion of the deadly disease of cancer. Carcinogen plays an important role in aiding the spread of cancer in the initial stages.

The disease of cancer first manifests itself when the DNA of the cells get distorted irreversibly. This results in the triggering of the cell to divide. The cells also start reproducing independently and indefinitely.

Cells start mutating and multiplying at a fast rate and is aided by carcinogen. As the disease progresses, the mutating and multiplying cells form huge masses or tumors and start spreading from the initial site to other parts of the body.

Studies have clearly shown a link between the consumption of alcohol and certain types of cancer. As a person drinks more, he is at a greater risk for certain types of cancer. Research has also shown that alcohol in excess triggers certain mechanisms which lead to the development and spreading of certain types of cancer.

Cancer due to alcohol consumption affects mostly the digestive system. This includes the mouth, the larynx, the pharynx, esophagus, etc. there are also certain evidences which show that alcohol consumption can cause cancer of breast, colon and liver.