Alcohol Use Disorders can cause a lot of problems in a person’s life and long-term negative health effects are at the top of the list. Sadly, there are many different types of cancer you can develop due to consistent and heavy drinking. The consumption of alcohol falls into a gray area in American society and in many cultures around the world where it is not only accepted but the main part of everyday living. From a dog and a beer at a baseball game to a bratwurst and a pint at a football match, all around the world drinking alcohol is part of what we do. This of course does not lower the health risks, however, it does make it harder to address someone’s drinking, even your own if it is excessive or seems to be causing a problem.
Among the list of cancers that are linked to drinking alcohol, breast cancer falls into a special category, and not a good one. Much smaller amounts of alcohol can contribute to the risk of breast cancer. Some of the facts and figures are below. In the end, the best course of action after not consuming alcohol at all is to be conscious of how much you are drinking in any given instance and over time as well. Keeping track of what you put in your body is always a good thing, especially items that can be detrimental to your health in any way.
At Sylvan Detox you will find a luxury residential rehab facility with lavish amenities, where we can help you end your dependence on street drugs, prescription drugs, or alcohol and assist you in changing your life for the better. We offer medical detox, traditional alcohol and drug rehab treatment, and alternative therapies in order to find the best way to put you on the road to recovery. If you or one of your loved ones is struggling with drugs or alcohol, please call us today.
If you or a loved one is suffering from any form of addiction or abuse, please call Sylvan Detox at (818) 308-3099.
Does Alcohol Increase Your Risk of Breast Cancer?
Drinking alcohol has been linked to breast cancer due to the fact that it can raise estrogen levels in the body. The average American woman’s risk of developing breast cancer based on current research is 12.9%. There are many factors, including family history, environment, diet, and others that go into someone developing any type of cancer. For women who know that they are at risk already due to genetic, hereditary, or other reasons may want to avoid or cut back on alcohol consumption in order to lower the possibility of them developing breast cancer at some point in their life.
Different types of alcohol are sometimes demonized over others, and on the flip side of the discussion, some specific drinks, like red wine and dark beers, are touted for their medicinal qualities. In both cases, some amount of exaggeration is occurring. Ethanol is the type of alcohol found in what is often referred to as adult beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits. Generally speaking, 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor contain about the same amount of ethanol. However, just like with rums and whiskeys, there are wines and beers with a higher alcohol content by volume, too (ABV). This is something to be aware of, as it is the amount of alcohol over time, not the type, that will contribute to breast cancer and other forms of the disease.
How Alcohol Increases Risk of Cancer
The consistent consumption of alcohol, or the abuse of alcohol in cycles over time including binge drinking, can do damage to a person’s body in many ways. Cancer in general is caused due to various changes in your organs or cells, including inflammation, which alcohol can cause. There is a large variety of cancers that drinking alcohol can contribute to, including mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, breast, colon, and rectum. Additionally, research continues as to how alcohol may heighten the risks of other types of cancer, including the stomach, at this time.
Many people who go through cycles of alcohol abuse but may not become addicted often do not realize the damage that is occurring to various parts of their bodies. In layman’s terms, cancer takes advantage of these impacts and corrupts or attacks the cells in that part of the body. Additionally, alcohol can affect all of these areas of the body, meaning that because you develop throat cancer does not mean you will not contract colon cancer, too, due to drinking. In today’s world, we are sometimes overwhelmed by the amount of information we are provided, including regarding health and wellness. In general, consuming alcohol in moderation is usually not devastating, however, if you have any underlying risk factors or health issues, it is never a bad thing to consult your physician.
Other Health Risks of Drinking
There are no good points or silver linings to abusing drugs and alcohol. Substance Use Disorders, including excessive alcohol consumption, can cause health risks and damage to other areas of your life, too. Excessive drinking and binge drinking are often used terms, and they do have actual definitions put forth by the CDC. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks on a single occasion for women, and five or more drinks on a single occasion for men. In corollary, heavy drinking is defined as consuming eight or more drinks per week for women, and 15 or more drinks per week for men.
These statistical guidelines are just, general terms to consider. Every person’s metabolism is different, and even though there are many myths and half-truths regarding how to not get drunk, not have a hangover, or not allow alcohol to affect you as severely, there are some facts, too. For example, eating before and while you are drinking and consuming water before, during, and after an occasion where you are drinking, both help with intoxication levels and assist toxins leaving your body as opposed to being incorporated into your organs and cells.
There are both short-term and long-term health risks involving alcohol. Some of the short-term health risks are alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels, and risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These latter behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. A few of the long-term health risks that can occur due to consistent excessive or heavy drinking are high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In the United States, Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes place in October. Many other countries around the world also observe and take part in activities during the same month. The goal of having a month dedicated to breast cancer is to honor both those that have lost their lives to the disease as well as those who have fought and won. Additionally, fundraising is done via various events, walks, runs, concerts, and other activities to support research and awareness.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
If you or one of your loved ones is struggling with alcohol abuse, call us today at Sylvan Detox. We have a variety of treatment plans and programs that can help you make a positive change in your life.