Alcohol-related cancers a growing concern in India: Experts

Alcoholrelated cancers are a growing concern in India said health experts on Monday even as the World Health Organization WHO recently called for prominent health warning labels on alcoholic beveragesThe WHO defines alcohol as a toxic psychoactive and dependenceproducing substance that has been decades ago classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer Group 1 carcinogen is the highest risk group which also includes asbestos radiation and tobaccoldquoAlcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer and more than 20 types of cancers can be attributed to consumption of alcoholrdquo Dr Prof Puneet Garg Vascular Interventional Radiologist and Endovascular Surgeon Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi told IANSThe most common cancers linked to alcohol are of mouth throat foodpipe stomach colon rectum and pancreas It also causes cancers of the breast in women and prostate in malesldquoIn India alcoholrelated cancers are a growing concern Alcohol metabolises into acetaldehyde a toxic compound that can damage DNA and proteins leading to mutations that initiate cancer development In addition alcohol can impair the bodys ability to absorb essential nutrients like folate and vitamins A C D and E which are vital for maintaining healthy cells and preventing cancerrdquo Dr Taraprasad Tripathy Assistant Professor at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar Odisha told IANSAlcohol is a wellestablished carcinogen that is contributing significantly to the global burden of the deadly disease Nearly 4 per cent of cancers diagnosed worldwide can be attributed to alcohol consumption according to the WHOA recent study in the journal Lancet estimates that alcohol consumption was responsible for approximately 62100 new cancer cases in the India 2020Recently US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy also recommended including cancer warnings on alcoholic beverages to curb the rising cancers of the breast liver and colon The warning can empower consumers to make informed decisions raise awareness of alcoholattributable health risksThe experts noted that chronic alcohol consumption also weakens the immune system reducing its capacity to identify and destroy cancerous cells Tripathy explained that alcohol consumption is linked to several types of cancers each presenting distinct early warning signsPersistent mouth sores unexplained bleeding a lump or thickening in the cheek difficulty swallowing or a sore throat that doesnt heal can indicate oral and pharyngeal cancerIn the case of oesophageal cancer patients are likely to face difficulty swallowing chest discomfort unintended weight loss chronic cough or hoarseness while those with liver cancer can experience abdominal swelling jaundice yellowing of the skin and eyes unexplained weight loss loss of appetite and fatigueA lump in the breast or underarm changes in breast shape or size dimpling of the skin or nipple discharge can signal breast cancer The experts stressed the need for early detection of cancer to improve outcomesWith advanced treatments currently available early detection can improve the chances of cure and survival But ldquoif the disease is detected late and ignored then these cancers spread to other parts of the body known as metastasis These metastases are difficult to remove by surgery and chemotherapyrdquo Garg saidHe added that in advanced stages these cancers cells also overwhelm the immune system of the body and damage the organs like brain liver heart kidneys and lungs which are important for the human body to functionThe experts also suggested the need for regular screenings especially for highrisk individuals and prompt medical attention to unusual symptoms are crucialldquoReducing alcohol consumption is a proactive measure to lower the risk of developing these cancers The WHO emphasises that no amount of alcohol consumption is safe as even moderate intake increases cancer riskrdquo Tripathy saidAlso ReadEating veggies may reduce risk of liver cancer by 65 per cent finds studyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever