So my latest factual blog post is all about alcohol. Binge drinking has become a huge part of British culture in recent years. I will confess as a teenager I would go to bars, pubs and clubs with my friends and I have seen binge drinking first hand. There are lots of people in this country that drink to get drunk, not because they enjoy the taste. It's a worrying epidemic, especially as people with drinking problems seem to be getting younger and younger. So here are the facts about alcohol. Once again this post is not meant to judge or to tell you what to do. I am simply offering you the facts and allowing you to decide what you would like to do with them :)
Alcohol Facts:
Alcohol can cause seven types of cancer:
* Mouth cancer
* Pharyngeal cancer (upper throat)
* Oesophageal cancer (food pipe)
* Laryngeal cancer (voice box)
* Breast cancer
* Bowel cancer
* Liver cancer
Around 12,500 cases if cancer in the UK every year are caused by alcohol. That is around 4% of cases. Mouth cancer rates have increased dramatically and that may be due to higher levels of drinking and smoking in this country. Drinking alcohol doesn't not mean you are guaranteed to get cancer but scientists have discovered that cancer is more common in people who drink alcohol.
How Much Alcohol Increases Your Chances?
You don't have to have an addiction to alcohol or be a binge drinker to have an increased risk of cancer. Three units a day is all it takes to increase your risk, so a large glass of wine or a pint of beer! Obviously the more you drink, the higher your chances. Heavy, regular drinking can also lead to liver cancer, heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis and injuries caused by stumbling about.
"Safe" Drinking
If you really do like to have a daily drink then the recommended allowance is:
* Two units for women (one small glass of something)
* Three to four units for men (two small glasses of something)
There is only a limited risk but please do remember that some drinks contain more alcohol then you would think!
Binge Drinking or Daily Drinking?
It really doesn't make much of a difference if you binge drink at the weekend or drink small amounts every day: it's the total amount of alcohol consumed over time that has effect on your cancer risk. You are more likely to develop cancer if you consume lots of alcohol, whether you drink it all in one night or spread it out across the week.
Drinking and Smoking
Smoking and drinking will multiply your cancer risk. Tobacco and alcohol work as a deadly team damaging cells in your body. Alcohol aids tobacco, making it easier for your mouth and throat to absorb the cancer causing chemicals found in tobacco. In fact research has shown that people who smoke and drink are FIFTY TIMES more likely to develop cancer then someone who doesn't.
What Types of Alcohol are Dangerous?
ALL types of alcohol increase your risk of cancer, even red wine. Some types may benefit your health in small does but it is very important to remember to stick to the recommended allowances and to get help if you find yourself increasingly dependent on alcohol.
Why Do The Allowances Differ for Men and Women?
There are several biological reasons why women should have less alcohol then men.
* Female livers produce less of an enzyme that breaks down alcohol so it will stay in women's bodies for longer,
* There is evidence to suggest alcohol (one unit a day) can increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer significantly.
* Smaller bodies absorb less alcohol then bigger bodies and women are usually smaller then men.
* Women tend to be a curvy shape with more body fat and less body water then men. This means alcohol consumed by a woman becomes more concentrated whilst in her body then it would in a man.
I hope you have found this blog post informative. If you do like a drink, please monitor your intake. Count your units, keep track of the alcohol percentage in your drinks. If you do find you can't bear the thought of a day or weekend without alcohol then please do find someone to talk to as you may be developing an addiction. Alcohol can make things fun but it can lead to very damaging health problems. Your health is a precious commodity, and so is your body. Look after them as best you can.
If you need more information about alcohol and it's effects on your body please contact Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org)
If you feel you have a problem with alcohol please visit your GP or your local alcoholics anonymous. They will provide confidential support and advice.
xxx
Alcohol Facts:
Alcohol can cause seven types of cancer:
* Mouth cancer
* Pharyngeal cancer (upper throat)
* Oesophageal cancer (food pipe)
* Laryngeal cancer (voice box)
* Breast cancer
* Bowel cancer
* Liver cancer
Around 12,500 cases if cancer in the UK every year are caused by alcohol. That is around 4% of cases. Mouth cancer rates have increased dramatically and that may be due to higher levels of drinking and smoking in this country. Drinking alcohol doesn't not mean you are guaranteed to get cancer but scientists have discovered that cancer is more common in people who drink alcohol.
How Much Alcohol Increases Your Chances?
You don't have to have an addiction to alcohol or be a binge drinker to have an increased risk of cancer. Three units a day is all it takes to increase your risk, so a large glass of wine or a pint of beer! Obviously the more you drink, the higher your chances. Heavy, regular drinking can also lead to liver cancer, heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis and injuries caused by stumbling about.
"Safe" Drinking
If you really do like to have a daily drink then the recommended allowance is:
* Two units for women (one small glass of something)
* Three to four units for men (two small glasses of something)
There is only a limited risk but please do remember that some drinks contain more alcohol then you would think!
Binge Drinking or Daily Drinking?
It really doesn't make much of a difference if you binge drink at the weekend or drink small amounts every day: it's the total amount of alcohol consumed over time that has effect on your cancer risk. You are more likely to develop cancer if you consume lots of alcohol, whether you drink it all in one night or spread it out across the week.
Drinking and Smoking
Smoking and drinking will multiply your cancer risk. Tobacco and alcohol work as a deadly team damaging cells in your body. Alcohol aids tobacco, making it easier for your mouth and throat to absorb the cancer causing chemicals found in tobacco. In fact research has shown that people who smoke and drink are FIFTY TIMES more likely to develop cancer then someone who doesn't.
What Types of Alcohol are Dangerous?
ALL types of alcohol increase your risk of cancer, even red wine. Some types may benefit your health in small does but it is very important to remember to stick to the recommended allowances and to get help if you find yourself increasingly dependent on alcohol.
Why Do The Allowances Differ for Men and Women?
There are several biological reasons why women should have less alcohol then men.
* Female livers produce less of an enzyme that breaks down alcohol so it will stay in women's bodies for longer,
* There is evidence to suggest alcohol (one unit a day) can increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer significantly.
* Smaller bodies absorb less alcohol then bigger bodies and women are usually smaller then men.
* Women tend to be a curvy shape with more body fat and less body water then men. This means alcohol consumed by a woman becomes more concentrated whilst in her body then it would in a man.
I hope you have found this blog post informative. If you do like a drink, please monitor your intake. Count your units, keep track of the alcohol percentage in your drinks. If you do find you can't bear the thought of a day or weekend without alcohol then please do find someone to talk to as you may be developing an addiction. Alcohol can make things fun but it can lead to very damaging health problems. Your health is a precious commodity, and so is your body. Look after them as best you can.
If you need more information about alcohol and it's effects on your body please contact Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org)
If you feel you have a problem with alcohol please visit your GP or your local alcoholics anonymous. They will provide confidential support and advice.
xxx
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ReplyDeleteanother great blog Penny x
ReplyDelete