Understanding Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk
- Princess of Wales Kate Middleton has shared that, following her cancer diagnosis and treatment, she’s become “more conscious” of her alcohol intake.
- Middleton has been in remission for a year after receiving preventative chemotherapy for an undisclosed cancer found in early 2024.
- Drinking has been shown to increase your risk of several cancers, including head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal, according to the National Cancer Institute.
- Research shows that people who lowered their consumption lowered their cancer risk. Oncologists we spoke with indicate that moderation is key, suggesting that one glass a day or four drinks per week may be fine for women.
- If substance abuse or addiction is something your dealing with, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline, which can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is “a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Middleton, who has been in remission for a year after receiving preventative chemotherapy for cancer discovered in early 2024, shared her new outlook on alcohol while her and her husband William, Prince of Wales, 43, attended a beer sampling event at Fabal Beerhall in London, as well as Southwark Brewing Company.
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According to The Independent, Rhodes replied to Middleton’s inquiry about non-alcoholic beers saying, “We don’t yet, I’m afraid. I would love to do that one day but we would need quite a bit of tech to do it properly.”
Although Middleton decided not to taste any of the lagers and ciders at the beer hall, her husband agreed to try some samples.
Reporters also said that when Rhodes asked Middleton if she drank beer, the Princess of Wales said something like “it has been best to avoid alcohol” since her diagnosis.
Footage from the event was shared on The Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Instagram page, with the caption, “Stopping along Bermondsey Beer Mile learning about Southwark’s long history as the centre of London’s beer production and the breweries that keep the tradition alive today.
“Great to see innovation, craftsmanship, and community coming together.”
The footage prompted fans to praise Middleton and her husband as “an amazing couple,” with one commenting, “A really sweet video — such a warm and charming look at their day in London.”
“I genuinely love these two people. They connect at a real level wherever they go,” commented another.
Fabal Beets also chimed in, saying, “We were delighted to host and meet you both, it is much appreciated recognition for the work that we do. Cheers!”
Resources on Alcohol's Impact on Cancer
- Alcohol Can Cause Cancer — So Why Don’t Beer, Wine, Whiskey and Other Booze Labels Warn Us?
- Alcohol Can Increase the Risk of Developing Breast Cancer
- Alcohol Consumption Increases Cancer Risk. Less Booze Is Associated With Lower Cancer Risk, New Data Adds To The Case For Moderation
- Alcohol Intake Has a Big Impact on Colon Cancer Surgery
- Alcohol Can Increase Your Liver Cancer Risk in Multiple Ways — Here’s What We Know
- Alcohol and Cancer: More than 700,000 New Cases of Cancer Worldwide In 2020 Were Attributable to Alcohol Consumption, New Research Suggests
- Should Every Bottle of Alcohol Carry a Cancer Warning? The New Push From Major Public Health Organizations
- Stressed Over a Cancer Diagnosis? 6 Tips to Help You Avoid Reaching for Alcohol
Kate Middleton Journey With Cancer
Middleton revealed she was in remission from cancer in September 2024 through an emotional social media post featuring a video of her spending time outdoors with her family.
“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” Middleton said in the footage.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”
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Middleton, who previously shared that post-operative testing after “major abdominal surgery” revealed that cancer in her body, continued, “The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.
“With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”
Middleton went on to say that this period of time “has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”
Alcohol and Cancer Risk
Kate Middleton’s new relationship with alcohol reminds of the connection between alcohol and cancer risk— and according to the National Cancer Institute, there is a clear link between consuming alcohol, especially drinking it regularly over time, and an increased risk of several cancers. Those cancers include head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast and colorectal.
A study published in JAMA Network Open about two years ago found that people with “heavy drinking levels had an associated higher risk” of developing alcohol-related cancers “than those who did not drink.” The study included 4.5 million participants who self-reported their drinking habits. The results concluded people who reduced their alcohol consumption lowered their risk.
Conversely, “Those with moderate or heavy drinking levels who quit drinking had a higher all cancer incidence than those who sustained their levels, but when quitting was sustained, this increase in risk disappeared.”
Additionally, the American Cancer Society warns that alcohol consumption can increase your risk for many different types of cancer. Considering cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box and esophagus, for example, alcohol “clearly” increases risk. That being said, the ACS notes that drinking and smoking together puts you at a much higher risk for these cancers than drinking or smoking alone.
“This might be because alcohol can help harmful chemicals in tobacco get inside the cells that line the mouth, throat, and esophagus,” the ACS website states. “Alcohol may also limit how these cells can repair damage to their DNA caused by the chemicals in tobacco.”
When it comes to liver cancer, “long-term alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk.” When you regularly drink a lot of alcohol, liver damage can occur and lead to inflammation and scarring a possible explanation for the increased risk.
We also know there’s a clear link between breast cancer and alcohol consumption. In November 2017, the American Society of Clinical Oncology published a statement citing evidence that links alcohol to multiple cancers and calling for reduced alcohol consumption as a way to cut people’s cancer risk. But many women said they had been drinking more during the pandemic, and 70 percent weren’t aware of the resulting increased cancer risk, according to a SurvivorNet survey in February 2021.
RELATED: Warning to Drinkers: ‘Strong Link’ Found Between Alcohol and Deadly Cancers
The ACS also reports that alcohol use has been linked with a higher risk of cancers of the colon and rectum with stronger evidence for this in men than in women, though studies have found the link in both sexes.
Does Alcohol Impact the Risks for Colon and Other Cancers?
Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal cancer surgeon at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, also previously spoke with SurvivorNet, revealing she believes alcohol increases risk for certain cancers but acknowledged that the data was mixed, especially for colon cancer.
“I do think that high levels of alcohol certainly predispose to a certain number of cancers, including pancreatic and liver cancer, and may predispose to colon cancer,” she said.
“But there’s also some data that shows that low levels of alcohol, or a glass of wine here and there, may actually lower your risk of colon cancer.”
What is Heavy Alcohol Consumption?
To understand what counts as heavy drinking, it’s important to understand what counts as a drink.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines one drink as 14.0 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. Translated it looks like this:
- 12 ounces of regular beer (which is usually about 5% alcohol)
- 8–10 ounces of malt liquor (which is typically about 7% alcohol)
- 5 ounces of wine (which is about 12% alcohol)
- 1.5 ounces, or a “shot”, of distilled spirits (rum, vodka, gin, whiskey)
All of these sizes are typical of the amount you would get in a single serving at a bar or in a can or bottle at home.
According to the federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025, moderate drinking is considered a limit of 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.
Further, the guidelines define a heavy drinker as follows:
- For men, consuming five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more per week
- For women, consuming four or more drinks on any day or eight or more drinks per week
How does drinking alcohol increase cancer risk?
While the exact mechanisms by which alcohol contributes to cancer development are not fully understood, it appears to affect the body in the following ways:
- DNA damage: When you drink alcohol, your body breaks down ethanol (the alcohol in your drinks) into a substance called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is bad for your DNA, the material that makes up your genes. This damage can build up over time and increase your chances of getting cancer. Also, drinking alcohol can lead to oxidative stress, where harmful molecules called free radicals damage your cells and DNA, making cancer more likely.
- Liver damage: Drinking too much can hurt your liver, causing inflammation and cirrhosis. A scarred liver has a hard time working properly and is more likely to develop liver cancer.
- Elevated estrogen levels: Drinking alcohol can raise the levels of estrogen, a hormone, in your body. While elevated estrogen itself is not a direct cause of liver cancer in the same way it is with say, breast cancer, the underlying liver conditions associated with hormonal imbalances, such as cirrhosis, significantly increase the risk of developing liver cancer.
- Disruption of detoxification and nutrient absorption: Alcohol can make it harder for your body to break down and get rid of harmful chemicals. It can also stop your body from absorbing important nutrients from food properly. This means harmful substances, like those in tobacco smoke, can enter your body more easily and you don’t get as much benefit from the nutrients in your food.
- Exposure to carcinogenic substances: Sometimes, harmful substances that can cause cancer get into alcohol during its production. These substances can increase your risk of cancer.
The risk of developing cancer due to alcohol consumption varies depending on factors such as the amount and frequency of alcohol consumed, individual genetics, and other lifestyle factors like diet and exercise.
However, reducing alcohol intake or abstaining from alcohol altogether can help lower the risk of developing alcohol-related cancers.
“So if somebody has liver disease from drinking, absolutely stopping alcohol is going to not only help the remaining liver recover, but it’s also going to prevent further inflammation and possible that driver for cancer development as patients have liver disease because of metabolic syndrome, losing weight, controlling diabetes is directly shown to potentially reduce the risk of recurrence and have a better response to treatment,” Dr. Mariam Eskander, a surgical oncologist and assistant professor of surgery at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, previously told SurvivorNet Staff.
Making Decisions On Alcohol Consumption & Tips To Help You Avoid It
It’s important to note that alcohol consumption may increase the risk of developing these cancers, but it doesn’t necessarily cause these cancers. That being said, it’s hard to know what to do if you’re concerned about your alcohol intake increasing your risk of various cancers.
Dr. Heather Yeo previously stressed the importance of moderation, telling SurvivorNet, “For women, anything over a half a glass or a glass a day is probably not helping your overall health. For men, they can probably go one to two glasses before they start seeing health effects.”
If you happen to struggle with alcohol in times of stress, Victoria Martin’s story may inspire you. Martin is a breast cancer survivor and wellness coach who used her own experience to help others with alcohol addiction.
Speaking to SurvivorNet in an earlier interview, Martin shared some helpful tips and actionable steps people can use to help break unhealthy habits and cope with stress without alcohol.
- Mindset: Instead of looking at it like this is something you have to give up, try making a tiny shift in your language and thinking that still feels true. Have an open mind and think about what you will gain and learn, rather than approaching from deprivation.
- Be Curious: What would it feel like to experience some new thoughts and feelings to replace the worn-out ones? It is empowering to realize that you can change your patterns and see what is on the other side.
- Understand This is Not the Garden of Eden: Thinking of anything as a “forbidden fruit” creates even greater cravings, feelings of resentment, and deprivation. You are simply getting curious and creating changes that you get to make. Also, emotional attachments to our habits are very real, so it is perfectly healthy to acknowledge and honor these feelings.
- Create a Toolbox: Habits that no longer serve us, did serve a purpose at some point, and that is part of why we use them past their expiration date. You may be surprised at how uncomfortable some moments can be, but you can learn tools and tactics that will make it easier than staying stuck.
- Find Your People: You are not alone. Luckily, there is strength in numbers and a community where you can connect with people who understand what it is like. Sharing your experience won’t just help you feel less alone, but you will be helping others.
- Drop the “Shoulds”: One of the quickest ways to be defeated is by “shoulding ourselves.” Expecting to be perfect and tearing ourselves down will only lead to our maladaptive habits gaining more of a foothold. Practice speaking to yourself the way you would speak to a friend and see how kindness gets you moving in the right direction.
The Role of Diet and Exercise in Cancer Risk
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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