British rock star Sir Rod Stewart, 79, is worrying many people close to him regarding the heavy drinking habits he developed decades ago when he was much younger.
Stewart was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016 after undergoing routine screening. He underwent radiation therapy for treatment that helped him reach remission.
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 risk of cancer.
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.
British rockstar Sir Rod Stewart, 79, isn’t slowing down after more than six decades in music and entertainment. However, amid the rockstar lifestyle he refuses to let go of, his heavy drinking habit is worrying many close to him.
As a cancer survivor, alcohol potentially poses an added risk for Stewart as it can be a risk factor for certain types of cancers to develop.
According to the celebrity news website Radar Online report, the outlet’s sources noted, “Rod always prided himself on his ability to pound down his drinks with the best of them. But now, people fear the cumulative damage he’s done to himself.”
The fearless pop star reportedly confessed, “I’m aware my days are numbered, but I’ve got no fear,” Stewart said regarding the potential health risks heavy drinking can pose.
Stewart added that he makes his fellow musicians drink, although it appears more of his friends are eyeing a more sober lifestyle as they near their 80s.
Rod Stewart’s Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Stewart was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016 after undergoing a routine screening. He underwent radiation therapy for treatment, which helped him reach remission.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It starts in the walnut-shaped prostate gland between the rectum and bladder, producing the fluid that nourishes sperm. Fortunately, most prostate cancer is caught with screening examinations.
When you do get screened for prostate cancer, your doctor will run a few tests.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 17: (Editorial Use Only and No Use In Publications devoted solely to the artist) Rod Stewart performs at The O2 Arena on December 17, 2019, in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
One of the tests is the PSA test, a simple blood test that screens for prostate cancer. It looks for more significant amounts of protein-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. An elevated PSA test does not always mean you have prostate cancer. It could also reflect that your prostate is enlarged, which is common, or it could signal an infection or inflammation.
Your doctor may also conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check your prostate for lumps.
Depending on the results of these tests, imaging scans and a biopsy may be ordered.
WATCH: What Clues Might Signal That You Have Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer does not always behave the same in every man it impacts. The cancer can be considered “low-risk” and can be slow-growing, and treatment might not be necessary. In other men, the cancer may grow faster or more aggressively, requiring more immediate treatment. Because of this, there is some debate about screening.
The United States Preventive Services Taskforce recommends men at average risk between the ages of 55-69 years old should talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at age 50 who are at average risk should begin screening. Men who are at high risk of prostate cancer should begin screening at age 40. Men with a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer should consider annual screenings in their 30s.
Most doctors agree that men over the age of 70 do not need screening.
David Bowie (wearing an eyepatch) performs ‘Rebel Rebel’ on TopPop on 7th February 1974 in Hilversum, Netherlands. (Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns)
Perhaps Stewart could look for another famous rocker from the 1960s who drank alcohol heavily. Like Stewart, who battled prostate cancer, rocker David Bowie was diagnosed with cancer.
David Bowie burst into the music industry with his first hit single, “Space Oddity,” in 1969 and became one of the most influential artists ever. He created iconic hits, including “Blackstar,” “Blue Jean,” and “Dancing in the Street.” He earned several Grammy nominations and wins throughout his incredible career.
During a BBC interview in 2000, Bowie once said, “Drinking even one glass would kill me. I’m an alcoholic, so it would be the kiss of death for me to start drinking again. My relationships with my friends and family have been so good for so many years now.”
While it remains unclear if alcohol contributed to Bowie’s liver cancer, it is a known cancer risk factor.
Is There a Link Between Cancer and Alcohol Consumption?
There is a clear link between consuming alcohol, especially drinking it regularly over time, and an increased risk of several cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute. Those cancers include head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast and colorectal.
According to a study published last year in JAMA Network Open, 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.”
WATCH: Alcohol and its impact on colon cancer risk.
“What that means is a linear response to risk, meaning that each drink increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer. So, binge drinking it’s not good for anybody. And it’s also not good for a woman’s increased risk of breast cancer,” Dr. Comen explained.
Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal cancer surgeon at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said she also believes alcohol increases the 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,” Dr. Yeo continued.
How Much Alcohol Can You Consume?
When it comes to knowing how many drinks you can safely have? The World Health Organization has plainly said no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.
Dr. Comen agrees that consuming no alcohol is safest.
“Patients ask me this all the time, ‘Well, how much can I drink?'” she said. “If you want to have absolutely no risk from alcohol, then don’t drink at all. But probably having less than four glasses a week of alcohol is probably OK.”
Dr. Yeo shared a similar message regarding moderation.
“For women, anything over half a glass or a glass a day is probably not helping your overall health,” Dr. Yeo said. “For men, they can probably go one to two glasses before they start seeing health effects.”
Helpful Tips to Help You Avoid Alcohol
Do you struggle with alcohol in times of stress? Victoria Martin did. She is a breast cancer survivor and wellness coach who used her own experience to help others with alcohol addiction.
She shared some helpful tips and actionable steps people can use to help break unhealthy habits and cope with stress without alcohol.
Mindset: Instead of thinking this is something you must 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 it from deprivation.
Be Curious: What would it feel like to experience new thoughts and feelings to replace the worn-out ones? Realizing that you can change your patterns and see what is on the other side is empowering.
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 acknowledging and honoring these feelings is perfectly healthy.
Create a Toolbox: Habits that no longer serve us did serve a purpose at some point, which 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 to 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 will not only help you feel less alone, but you will also be helping others.
Drop the “Shoulds”: One of the quickest ways to be defeated is by “shoulding ourselves.” Expecting perfection and tearing ourselves down will only lead to our maladaptive habits gaining more of a foothold. Practice speaking to yourself like you would talk to a friend and see how kindness gets you moving in the right direction.
