La Crosse County Prevention Network
  • Home
  • Events
    • Media
  • Education
    • Be The One, Start the Conversation
    • Marijuana >
      • La Crosse County Marijuana Trends Report
      • Marijuana 101
      • Driving & Riding
      • Health Effects >
        • Addiction
        • Brain Effects
        • Effects on Pregnancy
      • Edibles
      • Dabbing & Concentrates
      • Educational Advocacy Toolkit
      • Be the One Start the Conversation about Marijuana
      • Resources
    • Alcohol >
      • Effects of Alcohol >
        • Teen Alcohol Use
        • Alcohol and Pregnancy
        • Alcohol and the Elderly
      • Alcohol and Cancer
      • Policies
      • Scenarios to Prepare Tweens, Teens and Young Adults for
      • Resources
    • Prescription Drugs >
      • Types
      • Prescription Drugs and Youth
      • Medication Drop Boxes
      • Medication Safety
      • Tips for Role Models
      • Resources
  • Statistics
  • Resources
    • Youth
    • Parents and Educators
    • Community Members
  • Webinars
    • Past Webinars
    • Current Webinars
<------ Email us!

Alcohol and Cancer

Back to Alcohol Homepage
alcohol
Effects of Alcohol
Be The One
Social Host Ordinance
Tips for Role Models
​Resources

​Liver Cancer

Alcohol is a direct contributor to live cancer. Regular heavy alcohol use can damage the liver, leading to scarring and inflammation. This can increase the chances of developing liver cancer. The liver has the ability to regrow itself after damage, but cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) can inhibit this. Cancer developing at the centers of regrowth will spread rapidly. 

The image to the right is an example of a healthy liver (left) and one with cirrhosis (right).

Picture

Colon and Rectal Cancer

Alcohol generally creates greater risk for these cancers in men than in women, but studies have shown a link in both genders. There is an increased risk of bowel cancer in those that have one drink per day. 

Laryngeal Cancer (Voice Box) 

Laryngeal cancer is one of four forms of oral cancer. Even those who moderately consume alcohol (one drink per day) have an increased risk. When you stop drinking you can lower your chances of developing this cancer by 2% each year. 

Breast Cancer

A few drinks a week has been linked to increased risk for breast cancer in women, especially those who do not get enough folate. Alcohol raises estrogen levels, which may explain some of the risk. Alcohol increases levels of estrogen, a hormone. This can cause cells to multiply at an uncontrollable rate. 
Picture

What Damage Does it Cause?

Damage to body tissues.
Cells damaged by alcohol may try to repair themselves which can lead to mutations in DNA, which may lead to cancer. 
Bacteria that are in the colon and rectum convert alcohol to excess amounts of acetaldehyde, which can lead to cancer in lab animals.

Alcohol and other harmful chemicals.
The body's ability to break down and remove harmful chemicals may be interrupted.
Alcohol helps the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke enter the lining of the upper intestine more easily. 

Impacts folate absorption.
Alcohol impacts nutrient absorption. 
Folate is necessary for the body's cells to stay healthy.
Low folate levels may increase the risk of developing certain cancers.

Increased body weight. 
Excess alcohol and binge drinking can add extra calories into the diet, which can lead to weight gain. 
Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Events
    • Media
  • Education
    • Be The One, Start the Conversation
    • Marijuana >
      • La Crosse County Marijuana Trends Report
      • Marijuana 101
      • Driving & Riding
      • Health Effects >
        • Addiction
        • Brain Effects
        • Effects on Pregnancy
      • Edibles
      • Dabbing & Concentrates
      • Educational Advocacy Toolkit
      • Be the One Start the Conversation about Marijuana
      • Resources
    • Alcohol >
      • Effects of Alcohol >
        • Teen Alcohol Use
        • Alcohol and Pregnancy
        • Alcohol and the Elderly
      • Alcohol and Cancer
      • Policies
      • Scenarios to Prepare Tweens, Teens and Young Adults for
      • Resources
    • Prescription Drugs >
      • Types
      • Prescription Drugs and Youth
      • Medication Drop Boxes
      • Medication Safety
      • Tips for Role Models
      • Resources
  • Statistics
  • Resources
    • Youth
    • Parents and Educators
    • Community Members
  • Webinars
    • Past Webinars
    • Current Webinars