A surgeon and oncologist at SM-Clinic in St. Petersburg, Yaroslav Kolosovsky, said it has been scientifically proven that alcohol consumption raises the risk of five types of cancer. He shared the findings in an interview with Lenta.ru.
Kolosovsky said alcohol can increase the risk of colorectal cancer because it triggers inflammation and changes to gut microflora.
He said global research also supports a link between alcohol and pancreatic cancer. According to Kolosovsky, one possible mechanism is the premature activation of digestive enzymes inside the organ, which causes the pancreas to essentially begin digesting itself. He added that alcohol also affects fat and carbohydrate metabolism, leading to disruptions in pancreatic function and the development of pancreatitis.
Esophageal, Oral and Throat Cancers
Kolosovsky said there is also a scientifically proven direct link between alcohol consumption and esophageal cancer. He explained that excessive drinking causes glands in the esophageal walls to first secrete large amounts of mucus and then undergo atrophy, which contributes to the degeneration of healthy tissue. He said alcohol causes oral and pharyngeal cancers in a similar way.
Kolosovsky also noted that acetaldehyde, a byproduct of alcohol breakdown, damages DNA and causes chromosomal rearrangements, which he said are one of the main causes of cancer.
Oncologist Jiri Kubes previously said people can ignore "quiet" symptoms of cancer for months before seeking medical help, naming persistent fatigue as one such symptom.
