Alcohol Is A Direct Cause Of Seven ​​Forms Of Cancer, Finds Study

[HuckleB]

Analysis implicates alcohol in development of breast, liver and other types of cancer and says even moderate consumption is a risk
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/22/alcohol-direct-cause-seven-forms-of-cancer-study

"Alcohol causes seven forms of cancer, and people consuming even low to moderate amounts are at risk, according to new analysis.

Health experts endorsed the findings and said they showed that ministers should initiate more education campaigns in order to tackle widespread public ignorance about how closely alcohol and cancer are connected. The study sparked renewed calls for regular drinkers to be encouraged to take alcohol-free days, and for alcohol packaging to carry warning labels.

Fresh analysis of evidence accumulated over recent years implicates alcohol in the development of breast, colon, liver and other types of cancer.

The study, published in the scientific journal Addiction, concludes that there is more than simply a link or statistical association between alcohol and cancer that could be explained by something else. There is now enough credible evidence to say conclusively that drinking is a direct cause of the disease, according to Jennie Connor, of the preventive and social medicine department at Otago University in New Zealand.

..."

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And, there it is.



Uh, whoops.

[Faux pas]

1. I hope I quit soon enough!

Non drinker since 1993!

[HuckleB]

2. I quit for the most part last Winter.

If this pans out, I'll take the motivation!

[Faux pas]

9. What I found interesting

is that I haven't missed it...well, except for hot summer days when an ice cold beer sounds great. Good luck to you HuckleB!

[HuckleB]

22. Thanks! I appreciate it!

[FLPanhandle]

3. Now I need a drink!

Frankly, I'll take the risk rather than give up a glass of good Cabernet with my steak.

[HuckleB]

40. I would, too, if I could stop at one glass.

Still, I think this illustrates that many of us are fine with certain risks, but some of the same people get up in arms about non-existent "risks" pushed by fear mongering.

Something is not connecting for some of us.

[Initech]

4. Does that mean Archer will get all 7 forms?

[HuckleB]

6. .

[True Dough]

5. What doesn't cause cancer?

Some things are more carcinogenic than others, but there are so many conflicting studies published that I rarely give them much credence anymore. Everything in moderation. Enjoy life. It's too damn short (and you can't shed your genes, which are largely going to determine various aspects of your health and life span).

[GummyBearz]

8. No kidding

I had one grandmother who was a super alcoholic for 40 years and is still alive at 92. Another grandmother that started smoking at 14 years old and she is still alive at 90 with no lung cancer.

On the flip side, kids at 10 years old get cancer and die by age 12. Cancer doesn't follow the rules we try to make for it.

[loyalsister]

16. More commonly

My heavy smoking alcoholic grandmother died at 55.

[edhopper]

25. It's what will happen to most in a population

some who smoke live fine long lives. But the vast majority will suffer numerous consequences, some fatal.

Getting shot may not kill you, but I wouldn't recommend it because some survive.

[SCantiGOP]

35. Mike Pence's logic

Firmly in the hip pocket of big tobacco, he wrote an op-ed years ago saying that there was no evidence that smoking killed anyone. His evidence? - 2 out of 3 people who smoked did NOT die of smoking-related diseases.
Like you said, edhopper: If I shoot 5 people and only two of them die, can I then claim that gun shots don't kill people?

[REP]

7. Well, that's something I don't have to worry about

My one or two alcoholic drinks per year has me listed as a "non-drinker" on my medical records.

I just have to worry if the fibrate I'm prescribed is still worth the risk.

[progressoid]

10. Hmmm...

That picture reminds me that I'm out of tonic.

[MohRokTah]

11. "Relax. Don't worry. Have a homebrew!"

-- Charlie Papazian

[Adrahil]

23. I have that book! HAHA NT

[ismnotwasm]

12. Alcohol consumption is also responsible for about a third of all ED visits

And about half of all ED hospital admissions for gastrointestinal problems, if I recall correctly. Pricey.

Anecdotally, people who drink themselves to the point of hospitalization--whatever the circumstances-- are not nursing favorites. Kinda grumpy and demanding folk. As well as occasionally.. inappropriate.

[TexasBushwhacker]

39. Over half of all car accidents too n/t

[flamingdem]

13. I'm guessing this has something to do with the P-53 gene

as alcohol suppresses that gene and encourages some kinds of dysplasia.

[whatthehey]

14. I only have 1-2 drinks a week

It's just that right now I'm midway through July 2084

[NaturalHigh]

15. Damn. That's not good.

[Bad Thoughts]

17. I think I'm better off quitting RoundUp

Reading the article, it seems as if the study steamrolled over questions of moderation vs abuse in reporting results. Certainly, if some of the proponents of the study think that having "alchohol-free days" once a week and reducing weekly consumption to 7 servings will make a significant improvement in alcohol-related cancers, than the rate of consumption is a significant factor.

(Full disclosure: my wife and I buy two bottles of wine every month.)

[HuckleB]

18. You drink RoundUp?

[Bad Thoughts]

19. Haha

Quitting products that use such pesticides.

[HuckleB]

21. Well, you would get farther by quitting alcohol.

It is a known carcinogen, class 1. Even the IARC, the only agency to consider glyphosate as an issue, has it as a probable carcinogen, class 2A.. And you're certainly going to get far more alcohol, than you are glyphosate, even if you only drink one drink a year, unless you do drink glyphosate.

[Bad Thoughts]

34. So the two are comparable, ounce per ounce

I would find that highly implausible. Moreover, it does not really take into account the breadth of exposure not only in foods, but in the environment in general.

[HuckleB]

37. So you haven't looked into the toxicities?

Do you know the mechanisms of the substances in question?

https://camiryan.com/2014/03/05/the-dose-makes-the-poison/

http://www.crediblehulk.org/index.php/2015/06/02/glyphosate-toxicity-looking-past-the-hyperbole-and-sorting-through-the-facts-by-credible-hulk/

And utilizing statements like "breadth of exposure" are meaningless. Do you actually think all sources are leading to more exposure of glyphosate than what you get in a drink of alcohol?

[pinboy3niner]

20. What it lacks in bouquet it makes up for in its precociously fruity kick

[Calculating]

24. Meh

I maybe drink 3-4 alcoholic beverages a year. I think I'm safe.

[JenniferJuniper]

29. Safe from getting cancer?

Tell that to my sister in law who is dying from pancreatic cancer and has never had a drink in her life.

[backscatter712]

26. If we followed all the doctor's advice...

...we'd be on the "You're not allowed to eat or drink anything that's pleasurable or tastes good!" diet.

Oh well...

[HuckleB]

27. It's funny, even the most moderate drinker is exposed to far more of a known carcinogen...

... than anyone is to a non-carcinogen (or give it the IARC label, probable carcinogen) known as glyphosate. Yet, everyone poo poos these findings, while so many people freak out about fictions pushed regarding glyphosate.

How does this disconnect occur?

[pinboy3niner]

28. The constant barrage of med news of everything causing cancer...

...is depressing enough to drive one to drink.

[scscholar]

30. This helps tRump's case for prohibition

This is bad.

[demfromWA03]

31. Hasn't this been well known?

That being said, consuming wine in moderation has been shown to be good for cardiovascular health. So I am more than happy to indulge in some every now and then.

[HuckleB]

38. Moderation is good, but the wine thing has been overplayed, big time.

http://www.eater.com/2016/1/8/10735698/red-wine-study-uk-increased-cancer-risk

[Peregrine Took]

32. As a long time UC person just dx'd with my first pre-cancerous polyp....finally decided

to eschew those nightly glasses of wine, watching tv with my DH.

Maybe one glass with company or going out to dinner - but no more at home. Just not worth it - not that I didn't enjoy them...

UC = ulcerative colitis/pancolitis.

[BlueStater]

33. Non-drinker here.

Studies have apparently indicated I won't live as long as drinkers. So it's damned if I do or damned if I don't.

My grandfather lived to be 98. I think I'll take the risk and stick with my abstinence.

[tonyt53]

36. I had not had a drink in 20 years and never drank much anyway. Diagnosed with kidney cancer in March

I'm not overweight, never been around harsh chemicals, never smoked, and no family history of cancer. The tumor was found incidentally when I had a scan of my lower back. Two markers - over 50 and male, but no others. I was very lucky and they got it all and I got to keep most of that kidney. Two weeks after the removal of the tumor, I had a couple of mixed drinks. Hell, evidently the alcohol was burning up cancer cells in my body after all and that's why I never developed cancer before. I'll keep having a drink every now and then to keep those cells from developing in the future.