It’s no secret that we Australians have a strong drinking culture. Enjoying a drink or two is generally accepted as a way to unwind and socialise, from weekend drinks with co-workers to a bottle of wine alongside a home-cooked dinner.
However, as common as drinking may be in modern society, it is important to remember that regular or excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks can increase the risk of some cancers. These include mouth, throat, oesophagus, bowel, liver, stomach and breast cancer.
Let’s look at how alcohol use is connected to cancer and talk about how to improve your drinking habits.
How Does Alcohol Increase the Risk of Cancer?
Alcohol consumption can increase the likelihood of cancer but it is just one of many variables. Gender, genetics, medical history and many other factors contribute to an increased risk of cancer. We can’t control our genetics and we can’t change our history, but we can control our consumption.
Reducing alcohol use may lower the chance of developing cancer. Even a small reduction can reduce the risk and there are many additional advantages that come with reducing alcohol intake.
To name just some of those advantages, a reduction in alcohol intake may lower the likelihood of accidents, elevated blood pressure, and liver damage.
Alcohol may cause cancer in three primary ways:
- Cellular Harm: Alcohol is converted by our bodies into acetaldehyde when we consume alcohol. Acetaldehyde can destroy our cells and prevent them from healing themselves.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Alcohol may raise the concentrations of several hormones, including insulin and oestrogen. These hormones send chemical signals that may cause cells to divide more frequently, increasing the likelihood of cancerous cells forming.
- Changes to Cells in Throat and Mouth: Alcohol may increase the susceptibility of throat and mouth cells to toxic chemical absorption. It additionally makes it simpler for agents that cause cancer to enter cells and damage them.
Remember that it is alcohol itself that brings harm. It makes little difference whether you consume wine, beer or other spirits. Alcoholic beverages of all kinds may lead to cancer.
There are many old wives tales about hangover cures and there are some over the counter aids that can relieve the symptoms of the ‘one too many’ feeling. Even if they do fix the discomfort, they don’t undo the damage.
Long-term Benefits of Abstaining from Alcohol
Long-term alcohol abstinence or reduction has several positive health effects. Even reducing to two drinks daily dramatically decreases your chance of developing a drink-related injury or illness. The lifetime danger of alcohol-associated injury is also decreased by drinking less often.
The NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) reports that the chance of mortality from an alcohol-related illness increases three-fold for women and four-fold for men when intake rises from two to four standard drinks per day. Every day you choose not to consume alcohol, is a day your body will thank you for.
Breaking the habit can prove challenging, especially when alcohol is integrated into your daily life and encompasses how you unwind and relax. If alcohol is also a big part of how you socialize it can be even more tricky to break the habit. This is why various platforms exist to link you with online doctors who specialise in supporting you through these challenges.
- Better Sleep
The World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that consuming alcohol increases the risk of issues such as behavioural and mental disorders. Alcohol's depressive properties often amplify mental health problems, making individuals feel worse than they otherwise would. Consuming alcohol can also affect sleep quality and when sleep is compromised, life gets so much harder than it needs to be.
Giving up alcohol, or reducing how much you consume can help to improve your sleep long-term. Although alcohol can make you fall asleep quite fast, you don't usually get restful sleep after drinking, so you don't feel refreshed when you wake up. The calming effect of alcohol wears off after a couple of hours, increasing your chance of waking up early. Additionally, alcohol may exacerbate pre-existing sleep issues, including sleep apnea and snoring. If you reduce your alcohol intake you are quite likely, after a period of adjustment, to have more energy and improved mental health.
If your health deteriorates after quitting, getting a medical certificate online will provide you with the time-off you need as you adjust to the changes.
- Better Health
Alcohol saps fluid from your body, leaving you dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to headaches, mood swings, concentration issues and lack of strength. Alcohol use is also associated with memory issues, reduced immune responses, and increased risk of strokes, liver disease and cancer.
Cutting down on your alcohol use and reaching for water or juice instead can dramatically increase your energy levels, leaving you feeling invigorated and ready to take on the day.
- Better Finances
Australians spend a total of $14.1 billion on liquor annually. According to estimates, households spend $2,444 a year on alcohol, while single people under 35 spend an average of $22 weekly. By reducing your alcohol use, you can benefit from saving an extra 2 to 3 thousand dollars per year, which you could put towards more fulfilling activities—a trip abroad, perhaps?
Quitting alcohol is challenging but you don’t have to do it alone. Several resources are available to help you in your journey, including online GPs who can provide online specialist referrals, assist you with getting online prescriptions and providing access to other avenues of assistance.
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