How drinking alcohol increases your risk of cancer

Did you know that having one or more alcoholic drinks a day increases your chances of getting cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, regularly having one or two alcoholic drinks a day increases your risk of developing cancer of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, throat and esophagus (widely known as head and neck cancer) as well as breast and colorectal cancer. Plus, long-term alcohol use has been linked to an elevated risk of liver cancer.

Even light drinkers — people who consume no more than one alcoholic drink a day — have an increased risk of developing certain cancers, especially breast cancer.

Furthermore, while both alcohol and tobacco are carcinogens on their own, smoking and drinking together makes your aerodigestive tract much more susceptible to cancer. According to a recent study, people who consume alcohol and tobacco together are up to 35 times more likely to develop some form of head and neck cancer.

Keep in mind that one drink is defined as 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of spirits. It’s recommended that men avoid consuming more than two drinks a day and women more than one.

When it comes to alcohol, the leading cancer experts agree: the more you drink, the greater your risk for developing cancer.