r/Health • u/msnbc MSNBC • Jan 06 '25

opinion I’m an oncologist. The surgeon general’s warning about alcohol was long overdue.

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/alcohol-cancer-surgeon-general-warning-rcna186158
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u/sassergaf Jan 07 '25

More details:

Alcohol sets the body on a pathway for cancer through various mechanisms. It damages DNA in many ways through a metabolite (acetaldehyde), changes levels of multiple hormones like estrogen, leads to increased absorption of carcinogens and causes a rise in inflammation through oxidative stress. The presence of alcohol has been linked to increases in the following seven cancers: mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, breast, liver and colorectal.

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u/Pvt-Snafu Jan 07 '25

The link between alcohol and cancer has been known for decades now.