The scientific consensus is clear: certain consumption habits significantly increase cancer risk. Pranoti Mandrekar, a professor at UMass Chan Medical School, has dedicated years to studying the biological effects of a common beverage deeply embedded in our daily lives. In an op-ed for The Conversation, she highlights that alcohol ranks among the leading preventable causes of cancer in the United States, linked to about 100,000 diagnoses and 20,000 deaths annually. In France, the numbers are equally alarming, with 49,000 deaths each year.
Alcohol and Cancer: An Underestimated Link
American health authorities state that even small amounts of alcohol raises cancer risk, yet public awareness is limited. According to a 2019 survey, fewer than half of American adults were aware of the connection. This lack of awareness is concerning, notes Mandrekar, especially as alcohol consumption was already rising before the COVID-19 pandemic, signaling a growing public health issue.
Why is alcohol so problematic? The issue starts at the cellular level. “Metabolism of alcohol is one of the first processes involved,” explains the researcher. Once consumed, alcohol converts to acetaldehyde—a highly toxic molecule that can damage DNA. This promotes mutations that disrupt normal cell cycles, leading to uncontrolled cell growth—essentially, cancer. This process is worsened by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and other carcinogens like tobacco smoke.
How Does Alcohol Affect Cancer Mechanisms?
Mandrekar’s research shows that free radicals from alcohol disrupt protein metabolism, triggering inflammation that fuels tumor growth. Alcohol also affects hormone levels: increasing estrogen and reducing vitamin A, both linked to higher breast cancer risk. For smokers, the danger is greater. Alcohol enhances the absorption of carcinogens found in tobacco smoke, especially in the mouth, pharynx, and larynx.
“The question of how much alcohol is ‘safe’ remains complex. Clinicians often state: no amount is risk-free,” says Professor Mandrekar. This contrasts with the belief that occasional drinking is harmless or even beneficial. Current scientific evidence aligns: risk starts with the first drink, with no protective threshold identified.
Alcohol and Health: The Risk Begins with the First Glass
Alcohol is a recognized modifiable cancer risk factor, but measuring individual vulnerability is challenging. It depends on factors like genetics, environment, and lifestyle, making the risk real, even at low doses.
Understanding this uncertainty shouldn’t prevent informed decisions. Rethinking alcohol consumption is a precaution. Drinking less is already a step toward better health. Every reduction counts, making a significant difference in the long run.
**Chaque gorgée de cette boisson augmente le risque de cancer selon un chercheur**
This article first appeared on grazia.fr – Author: Sandrine Dumas
