Buying the first round of drinks at his uncle Jimmy’s wake, Peter raised a toast of whisky. At just 67, Jimmy died last month after three years of treatment for colon cancer.
Colon cancer is one of seven cancers recognised by the World Health Organisation as being linked to increased alcohol consumption. The other six are breast, bowel, mouth cancer and some types of throat cancer: oesophageal, larynx and pharynx and liver cancer.
Yet, despite the connection, Peter has no intention of giving up drinking – and he’s certainly not alone in his choice. There are around 20,900 deaths related to alcohol in England annually, equating to a rate of approximately 38.5 per 100,000 population.
‘I’ve lost an uncle, cousins and a grandparent to bowel or colon cancer,’ says Peter, who is going by just his first name as he wants to avoid potential judgment from friends and colleagues.
‘My consultant told me when I was running through my family history that alcohol consumption is linked to this type of cancer. He asked how many units I have a week and I know I’m over the recommended amount, sometimes double.’
Peter is keen to point out that alcohol doesn’t rule his life. He might have a beer or cider, then perhaps whisky at the end of a night – sometimes it will be just one or two rather than a binge, while on other occasions he won’t drink at all and choose to drive instead.
‘In 2016 the limit for men was reduced from 21 to 14 units a week in recognition that both genders were equally at risk from alcohol harm. The advice also shifted from ‘safe levels of drinking’ to ‘low-risk level of drinking’, pointing out the fact that there is no completely safe level of consuming alcohol.
‘I believe this guidance changed as a result of a review of the evidence on the health risks of alcohol which showed links to several health conditions including cancer even at previously felt to be low-level consumption – two drinks a day,’ adds Dr Wall.
How alcohol impacts our bodies
Brain Damage: Long-term alcohol misuse can cause issues with memory, recall, retention of information and coordination.
Digestive problems: Alcohol can interfere with the body’s gut biome leading to an imbalance and digestive issues
Sexual dysfunction: Too much alcohol can cause difficulties with desire performance and function for both men and women, it can also contribute to infertility.
Liver Disease: Drinking too much can lead to liver conditions including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
Heart Disease: Alcohol increases blood pressure, it can also result in a weakening of the heart muscle. Alcohol increases the risk of stroke, irregular heartbeats known as arrhythmia, heart failure and stroke.
Pancreatitis: Alcohol irritates the pancreas and prolonged use and binge drinking can lead to inflammation which can then result in chronic pancreatitis.
Mental Health Problems: Drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol can increase the risk of depression and anxiety. It could contribute to other mental health conditions.
Weakened Immune System: The immune system becomes weaker and compromised with excessive alcohol consumption which can mean drinkers are more susceptible to infections and take longer to heal.
However, many people continue to drink alcohol despite knowing its risks because it can be a way to cope with stress, social pressures, or habit, explains Dr Hall. ‘Everyone is so much more stressed in these times it seems,’ she says. ‘The short-term pleasure or relaxation due to its affects on GABA receptors in the brain can feel beneficial. This feeling often outweighs concerns about long-term health for some individuals.’
Tabbin Almond was 54 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2014, but it took her another four years before it was linked to alcohol consumption.
While over 3 million people die globally every year through alcohol-related causes, including cancer, a 2018 study in The Lancet found drinking more than seven drinks a week (100 grams of alcohol) shortened life expectancy. The research also revealed ten to 15 drinks per week reduced life expectancy by one to two years, while 18 or more drinks per week shortened life expectancy by between four and five years.
