A
sobering Statement has been released by the American Society of Clinical
Oncology on “Alcohol and Cancer.”
Excerpts
from that article:
“The
importance of alcohol drinking as a contributing factor to the overall cancer
burden is often underappreciated. In fact, alcohol drinking is an established
risk factor for several malignancies.”
“Alcohol
is causally associated with oropharyngeal and larynx cancer, esophageal cancer,
hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, and colon cancer. Even modest use
of alcohol may increase cancer risk, but the greatest risks are observed with
heavy, long-term use.”
“Beyond
oncology [medical study of cancer], alcohol use and abuse together pose a
significant public health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, approximately 88,000 deaths were attributed to excessive
alcohol use in the United States between 2006 and 2010. Approximately 3.3
million deaths worldwide result from the harmful use of alcohol each
year. Population surveys demonstrate that 12% to 14% of adults have a
current alcohol use disorder and that 29% have had such a disorder at some
point in their lifetime.”
“Alcohol
use during childhood and adolescence is a predictor of increased risk of
alcohol use disorder as an adult. College-age and younger people who drink
are prone to develop an alcohol use disorder later in life.”
“People
who do not currently drink alcohol should not start for any reason.”
“In
a thorough systematic review of the world’s evidence that adhered to
prespecified criteria for drawing inferences, a World Cancer Research
Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) report judged the evidence
to be convincing that drinking alcohol was a cause of cancers of the oral
cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, breast, and colorectum (in men). Also,
alcohol was judged to be a probable cause of increased risk of liver cancer and
colorectal cancer (in women). An updated review of the evidence for liver
cancer upgraded the conclusion for an association between alcohol drinking and
liver cancer to convincing.”
“…The
associations between alcohol drinking and cancer risk have been observed
consistently regardless of the specific type of alcoholic beverage.”
“…The
index of suspicion is high that alcohol drinking leads to excess risk of
pancreatic cancer and gastric cancer.”
“As
evidence continues to accumulate, the list of alcohol-associated cancers is
likely to grow.”
“…For
cancer prevention, it’s best not to drink alcohol.”
“The
results of meta-analyses and pooled analyses that have focused directly on this
question for upper aerodigestive tract cancers indicate that risk of these
cancers declines in those who quit drinking alcohol compared with those who
remain alcohol drinkers.”
“As
such, the benefit of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular health likely has
been overstated. As reviewed in the Magnitude of the Association section, the
risk of cancer is increased even with low levels of alcohol
consumption, so the net effect of alcohol is harmful. Thus, alcohol
consumption should not be recommended to prevent cardiovascular disease or
all-cause mortality.”
“Low
physician knowledge of alcohol use and cancer risk is another barrier to
addressing alcohol use with patients.”
“…Alcohol
use among physicians may make them less likely to counsel patients about the
risks of alcohol use.”
“Worldwide,
alcohol-related cancers are estimated to be 5.5% of all cancers treated
annually…”
-Alcohol
and Cancer: A Statement of the American Society of Clinical Oncology; November,
2017. (Bold print is mine. -DRB)
For
entire Alcohol and Cancer Statement and footnotes see:
Fox
News article:
The
bad news is, we are all eventually going to die of something (Hebrews 9:27). The good news is we can significantly reduce
our chance of death from cancer and other causes by not drinking alcohol. As many have observed, what is the worst that
can happen from not drinking?
While
all these quotes are significant, some I especially noticed because of contrary
pro-drinking arguments. I’ve, of course,
added some of my own thoughts.
While
not outright saying you should not drink alcohol, the study did say if you
don’t drink, do not start. And frankly,
if you drink, you encourage others to drink.
Many
have argued drinking is good for your health.
This study says just the opposite.
Alcohol should not be recommended for heart health, or over-all
health.
Even
modest use of alcohol can increase your risk of cancer and other problems. Alcohol is a poison; its use is abuse.
Your
medical doctor is not necessarily an authority on beverage alcohol. My dad used to joke since he was overweight,
he tried to find a doctor who was overweight, so the MD would not get on to him
about dieting. Apparently, the same is
true when it comes to alcohol. Any
supposed medical benefits from alcohol can come from safer sources such as
grape juice (unfermented wine), grapes, other fruit, and vegetables. Sadly, many MDs have caused people to begin
drinking; don’t be one of them.
“For
cancer prevention, it’s best not to drink alcohol.” Not drinking alcohol, or taking other
recreational, mind-altering drugs (marijuana, opioids, etc.), will prevent a
host of other problems as well.
Hope
you all have a drug-free Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
For
a detailed study on biblical teaching on alcohol, see:
-David
R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 28, AD 2017.
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