August Health & Safety - Alcohol & Cancer Risk
Alcohol misuse is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S., claiming more than 178,000 lives each year, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Problems stemming from alcohol misuse impact individuals, families and communities.
Alcohol doesn't just impact how we feel, it impacts our bodies in many ways:
- Brain: Alcohol interrupts the brain’s communication pathways, affecting mood, behavior and coordination.
- Heart: Overconsumption on a single occasion or over a long period of time can damage your heart and cause cardiomyopathy, irregular heartbeat, stroke, and high blood pressure.
- Liver: Heavy drinking can lead to a variety of liver problems including fibrosis and cirrhosis.
- Pancreas: When we drink alcohol, our pancreas produces toxic substances that cause it to become inflamed and impair its ability to make the enzymes needed for digestion, a condition otherwise known as pancreatitis.
- Immune system: Drinking weakens your immune system, especially drinking a lot on a single occasion.
- Cancer: There’s a strong amount of scientific evidence that drinking alcohol regularly increases your risk of some cancers, including head and neck cancer, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal cancer.
Alcohol and cancer risk
The more alcohol a person drinks, especially regularly over time, the higher their risk of developing an alcohol-associated cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. This includes people who consume no more than one drink per day, as well as people who have more than 4-5 drinks in one sitting.
Evidence has shown clear links between alcohol use and development of the following types of cancer:
- Head and neck: Moderate drinkers have a 1.8x higher risk of developing oral cavity and throat cancers than non-drinkers, and heavy drinkers have a 5x higher risk. Risk also increases substantially for people who also use tobacco.
- Esophageal: Any amount of alcohol consumption increases your risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, with a 1.3x higher risk for light drinkers to a nearly 5x higher risk for heavy drinkers.
- Liver: Heavy drinking has a 2x higher risk for developing multiple types of liver cancer.
- Breast: Many studies have found that alcohol consumption increases your risk of developing breast cancer, even for light drinkers.
- Colorectal: Moderate to heavy consumption results in a 1.2 to 1.5x higher risk for colon and rectum cancers.
Evidence is also growing that alcohol use contributes to an increased risk for melanoma, prostate and pancreatic cancers. Stopping drinking will not immediately reduce your risk of these cancers, though it will eventually decline over time. And deciding not to consume alcohol or reduce your consumption can have many other benefits to your wellbeing too.
Learn more:
cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol
Overdose awareness
Drug overdose deaths are rising dramatically in the U.S., but we can take action to help prevent them. August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, and it’s a time to remember those we’ve lost to an overdose, support each other in our grief, and learn more about how we can help end overdose and related harms.
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Investing in your health In addition to our physical health, there is an undeniable cost of substance use on our financial wellbeing. If you consume alcohol or use other substances, you might consider adding up the money you spend on them and thinking about how it might look to invest it in things that boost your wellbeing. For example, would it be enough to cover a gym membership, a meal prep service, or an extra vacation a year? Could it help to pay down debts or build a “rainy day” fund? When we are clear about the impact of our choices, the possibilities for better health are endless! |
According to the Penington Institute, an overdose occurs when a person has more of a drug (or combination of drugs) in their body than it can deal with. All drugs can cause an overdose, including prescribed medications, and they can be fatal. Learning about the risks, signs and symptoms of overdose is a critical first step in prevention.
Risk factors are different depending on the drug and person, but some of the general ones are:
- Using multiple drugs at one time or one right after the other
- Changes in tolerance
- Using a higher dose than usual or redosing soon after using a drug for the first time
- Chronic health conditions and/or a lowered immune system
- Using alone or in an unfamiliar place
- Social stigma
- A contaminated drug supply, which also increases the risk of overdose deaths in the community at large
Signs and symptoms of an overdose also vary depending on the drug used. If you suspect someone has overdosed, always call an ambulance. If they are unconscious and you can’t get a response from them, do not assume they are asleep! Likewise, don’t ignore snoring or gurgling in the context of substance use. This can mean someone is having trouble breathing and can be life-threatening.
In an emergency, check for danger before you act. Then call emergency services, tell the operator your location and stay on the line. Follow their instructions and stay with the person until help arrives.
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Alcohol-free sipping More and more non-alcoholic options are becoming available at places where alcohol is served. Sober events are also on the rise. Regardless of whether you drink or not, it’s a great time to check out mocktail and non-alcoholic offerings at establishments near you. You just might find something delicious and refreshing that supports your health and lets you skip the negative after effects of alcohol consumption. |
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For more information and fact sheets about different substances, visit overdoseday.com |
Take the time to learn about overdose response protocols, especially if you are regularly around people using drugs. It could save someone’s life.
WATERMELON MINT MOCKTAIL
Ingredients:
- 2 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
- Ice
- ¾ cup watermelon juice
- ½ cup club soda
- Small slice watermelon for garnish
Directions:
Before you begin, wash your hands.
small wooden spoon.
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NUTRITION INFORMATION Serving Size: 1 mocktail |
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Calories |
34 |
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Sodium |
26mg |
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Fat |
0g |
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Carbohydrates |
9g |
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Protein |
1g |
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Total Sugars |
7g |
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Vitamin A |
653IU |
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Vitamin C |
9mg |
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Calcium |
14mg |
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Folate |
4mcg |
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Magnesium |
13mg |
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Potassium |
131mg |
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Source: eatingwell.com