Understanding Your Liver: Drinking Alcohol and Cancer Risk

According to the World Health Organization, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. The risk of developing cancer from alcohol starts from your first drink, and increases substantially the more alcohol is consumed. Your risk of liver damage also increases the more you drink. The easiest way to lower cancer risk is to drink less or avoid drinking completely.

Your liver is one of the body’s most critical organs. You can’t live without your liver, and nothing can replace the liver’s functions. It plays a major role in supporting your daily life, from digestion to eliminating toxins and managing nutrient storage and distribution. The liver is also the main organ that processes the alcohol you consume.

Generally, liver functions include:

Helping with digestion

The liver produces bile, which helps break down food in your small intestine. Here, it breaks up large fat globules into smaller droplets. This helps to digest your food so that your body can absorb dietary fats easily.

Metabolizing nutrients

The liver helps to process nutrients for use by the body. It decides to break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins, based on whether your body requires more nutrients. If these nutrients aren’t in demand, your liver will help direct them for storage instead.

Eliminating toxins

It breaks down and removes the toxins in your gut when you digest food, alcohol or medication.

• Preventing infections or illness

The liver protects you against the outside world by helping to detect pathogens (e.g., bacteria or viruses) entering through the gut. If necessary, it can sound the alarm for your body to mount an immune response to address any threats.

Consequently, preventing liver damage will help avoid irreparable damage to your health. Taking care of your liver is critical, as it takes care of your body in a myriad of ways. One way to prevent liver damage and the development of liver cancer is to limit alcohol consumption.

Your liver processes alcohol with the help of two enzymes: alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase.

• Alcohol dehydrogenase breaks alcohol down into acetaldehyde (a highly toxic carcinogen).
• Aldehyde dehydrogenase breaks acetaldehyde down into acetate (a less toxic by-product).
• Acetate is then broken down into carbon dioxide and water for safe elimination from your body.

Have you ever noticed your face turning red after drinking alcohol? Higher levels of acetaldehyde are the reason for the alcohol flush reaction (also known as “Asian flush” or the “Asian glow”), causing a flushed face and redness on the cheeks. High levels of acetaldehyde are also the main cause of hangovers, besides dehydration and alcohol withdrawal.

On average, alcohol is broken down at a rate of about one drink per hour. If you drink large amounts of alcohol, your liver may not be able to process it fast enough.

Hangover symptoms include thirstiness, fatigue, headaches, nausea and vomiting. You may also feel more sensitive to light and sound, face sleep issues, dizziness or muscle aches.

Some recommended hangover cures include:

• Hydrating with plain water
• Eating carbohydrates to bring your blood sugar back up
• Taking pain relievers (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)
• Supplementing your diet with B vitamins and zinc

Avoid acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) after drinking, as it can damage your liver while your body is still processing alcohol.

Alcohol and acetaldehyde (a toxic by-product of alcohol breakdown) have both been classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer almost fifty years ago, in 1988. Group 1 carcinogens have the highest risk for cancer, and also include radiation and asbestos.

Alcohol also helps other harmful chemicals (e.g., other carcinogens) to enter your cells through your mouth. For example, if you drink and smoke, alcohol makes it easier for your body to absorb carcinogens from tobacco.

Both alcohol and acetaldehyde (a by-product of alcohol breakdown) are toxic to the liver and increase inflammation in the body. Acetaldehyde is a highly reactive and toxic carcinogen that can cause permanent DNA damage. When cell DNA is damaged, the risk of cells growing uncontrollably rises, increasing one’s risk of cancer.

Drinking alcohol increases your risk of a few cancers. The most common cancers caused by drinking include:

• Mouth cancer
• Throat cancers (e.g., cancer of the esophagus, voice box or upper throat)
• Colon cancer
• Liver cancer
• Breast cancer

Any type of alcohol will be harmful to your liver. The amount you drink is more important than the type of alcohol. Limiting how much you drink can reduce the damage to your health.

Generally, the first signs of liver damage from alcohol include:

• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Unintended weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea

More advanced signs of liver damage include:

• Skin yellowing (jaundice)
• Swelling in the legs, ankles or feet
• Swelling in the abdomen (also known as ascites)
• High temperature and shivering attacks

Liver damage from alcohol takes place progressively.

1. In the first stage, a fatty liver develops as fat accumulates in the liver cells (also known as liver steatosis).
2. After years of heavy drinking, inflammation of the liver develops (also known as alcoholic hepatitis).
3. At this point, once damaged, the liver tries to repair itself. Persistent inflammation encourages repair cells to deposit excessive collagen in the liver. Unfortunately, this causes liver tissue to stiffen and eventually form scarring (also known as fibrosis).
4. Finally, cirrhosis occurs when the liver is severely and permanently damaged from scarring.

As the damaged liver tries to repair itself, some liver cells may develop mutations (changes in their DNA) that result in uncontrollable growth, resulting in tumor formation. Those with cirrhosis have a higher risk of liver cancer developing.

Alcohol-related liver disease usually doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms until an advanced stage has been reached. If you regularly drink large amounts of alcohol, you may be at risk for liver damage. It may be a good time to talk to your doctor for advice.

Remember that the benefits of quitting alcohol are immense. In the long term, it will reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, liver disease and other health problems. While difficult, giving up drinking will improve your quality of life, including both physical and mental health.