Alcohol consumption - cancer risk

milocat -thank you - that article presented that information in a clear and understandable manner

Cancer survivor here, I've never drank much my whole life. And in the past 10 years, it would be 1-2 drinks per month prior to diagnosis. The last 1-2 years I've drastically reduced bcz of post-menopausal status, it just does not help any of that and unlike ever before, seems to have negative affects. I do tend to have more drinks when on vacation, so if I have 20 drinks a year, 10 are probably on vaca!

I think the studies are hard to understand. I listened to one researcher who broke down what is happening with DNA and how cancers develop and known carcinogens. She reduced it to 5 things to help to avoid if you want some control (which is a whole other topic). No smoking, alcohol is a known carcinogen, obesity is a risk factor, hpv virus, and UV light. She quantified alcohol as being not a bad as smoking, but worse than eating cured meats/processed red meats.

I've also experience a lot of people in my circle who are reducing/eliminating alcohol, mostly because they realize it's not helping them that much and why take the chance? At the same time, if you're celebrating or enjoying a pastime with family or something, it's not the end of the world to have a drink.

One thing with cancer is it's multifactorial and almost impossible to know where it comes from except for smoking, asbestos exposure and burn pits, things like that.

I primarily drink wine when I drink alcohol and I'm more worried about a cancer risk from the pesticides used on the grapes than I am about the cancer risks from the alcohol itself. I don't think I'll ever give up drinking entirely but with the growing availability of well crafted mocktails on bar & restaurant menus, I've reduced my social consumption a bit. That's not because of a concern about cancer though, just about taking advantage of a "healthier" option when it's available.

I agree with all of this!

I grew up in with an alcoholic parent (and smoker). I absolutely saw the damage that did to him with early cancer, and eventually dying of multiple cancers. I spent most of my adult years as a "light" social drinker. 4 years ago, I got Long Covid and that quickly followed by menopause. A few years earlier one of my husbands closest friends got a colon cancer DX at 45 years old. Super fit guy, but a social drinker. DH did alot of research on functional health and cancer and after a few books on the topic he made a very conscious decision to stop drinking (will still enjoy 1-2 drinks year). I stopped drinking bc of my LC + menopause and doing the same reading my DH did. It was a combo of not enjoying it, having lousy after effects and realizing if this is a factor that I can control, I am going to choose to keep it out of my life as one less factor to worry about. I had half a glass of champagne at a wedding last month, but really I just don't drink otherwise. I don't berate myself for that glass - totally enjoyed it in the moment.

Cancer literally feeds on sugars, so it makes sense that it would feed on the sugars in alcohol.

That said, there are so many factors in play with our health that I don't think it is realistic or even practical to try to rule them all out. I think you have to figure out what is most life GIVING to you and align your life to those principles. I really do not miss drinking at all. I did enjoy a few sips of champagne to celebrate our friends, and I also had a piece of wedding cake, but I will go home and not drink any soda or alcohol and I feel good that those are the best choices for me.

I was talking to my DH about preventative measures the other day and he made the point, we have influence over about 25% of our future health and longevity and the rest is out of our hands. So make decisions knowing you cannot control for everything.

My alcohol consumption = 4 oz every 3-4 days. So, I'm not concerned.

Same, but I think that’s true for a lot of things for Peas. 🤣

Wink wink.

I marked mine wrong. I should have marked relatively little and am unconcerned. I have a glass of one every couple of months at most. Now when they decide chocolate is actually bad for me, I'm in trouble.

I'm feeling a little of the same (borrowed time and underestimating the amount we drink  ). I'm really an all or nothing girl, and was easily drinking 7 glasses a week when I drank.

My favorite group of nondrinking friends always forget they don't drink when on our annual craft retreat. Three of us brought a couple bottle of wine to share at dinner. Once the bottle was open, the other five decided they would have a glass, too. No peer pressure, just grown up ladies deciding "why not" - a bottle of wine does not go far among eight let me tell you. The next year, my drinking buddies and I brought 12 bottles for the three nights. 

FWIW, as I kind of said upthread, I think it is inflammation that is the issue, not alcohol by itself. A risk factor for my cancer (endometrial) is early menses and late menopause which I had zero ability to influence.