Peoria Standard

Approaching the new year, many individuals may be contemplating Dry January or giving up alcohol altogether. A recent study by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) provides additional motivation to consider sobriety.

The AACR's 2024 Cancer Progress Report reveals that excessive alcohol consumption heightens the risk of developing six types of cancer. These include certain head and neck cancers, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, as well as breast, colorectal, liver, and stomach cancers.

According to the study, nearly 5.5% of cancers in 2019 were linked to alcohol use. The research indicates that reducing or eliminating alcohol intake could lower the risk of these specific cancers by 8% and decrease the overall cancer risk by 4%.

Jeanna Rich, an oncology registered dietitian with OSF Cancer Support Services, explains how alcohol affects various parts of the body: "All alcohol contains ethanol, so one alcoholic beverage is not safer than the other because they all contain that ethanol component. That can essentially damage or oxidize healthy cells and create DNA damage. In regard to breast cancer, alcohol can actually increase the levels of estrogen in our body. It can lead to excessive calorie intake, which can lead to obesity."

Rich also notes that excessive drinking may result in poor sleep and malnutrition.