Across the globe, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality among both men and women.1 This major health concern affects around 1 in 16 males and 1 in 17 females across their lifetimes.2 In 2020 alone, lung cancer accounted for approximately 1.8 million deaths worldwide.3
Due to confounding factors like smoking, the association between alcohol and lung cancer has been viewed with skepticism. However, it is still crucial for us to recognise the potential impact of alcohol on lung cancer risk.
This article will explore the link between alcohol consumption and lung cancer while aiming to raise awareness to prevent excessive alcohol intake.
Let us dive right in and answer the burning question: Is there a link between lung cancer and alcohol?
Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that alters the human brain’s function. Biologically, it depresses or slows down the central nervous system, affecting the user’s awareness, thoughts, emotions, or actions.4 It has properties that may cause users to become addicted or dependent on the substance.
Playing an integral role in social and cultural contexts, alcohol is often used for social engagement and bonding. This beverage is commonly present at social gatherings and festivities. For many people, moderate alcohol consumption is a source of enjoyment and a part and parcel of social life.
In 2018, global alcohol consumption was around 6.2 litres per person aged 15 years and older, indicating that a significant portion of the population consumes alcohol for social or cultural reasons.
For reference, 1 unit equals 10 millilitres of pure alcohol
Heavy drinking is a risk factor for over 200 disease and injury conditions. Moreover, alcohol misuse is responsible for 7.1% of the global burden of disease in males and 2.2% in females.5 In 2016, 12.6% of deaths linked to alcohol consumption were due to cancers.6
The lungs are organs located in the human chest that take in oxygen from the atmosphere and release carbon dioxide from the body.
Lung cancer is characterised by the uncontrolled growth of mutated cells, starting from the lungs and eventually spreading to other body parts. It is similar to an uncontrolled weed in a garden, rapidly growing and invading other areas, ultimately affecting other plants. When these mutated cells begin to invade surrounding tissues and move to different locations, they become cancerous.
Disclaimer: These are general symptoms and are not exhaustive or meant for diagnosis. Please consult your local general practitioner or hospital if you suspect you have lung cancer for a proper diagnosis.
The general symptoms of lung cancer are:
In the field of lung cancer, diagnosis often occurs at advanced or later stages when treatment options are limited, resulting in poor prognosis. Therefore, early detection is crucial, and it is important to seek medical advice promptly if you notice anything amiss.
Having risk factors does not guarantee that you will develop cancer, just as not having risk factors does not mean you are completely immune to cancer.
Given its classification as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), it has long been established that alcohol is a substance highly capable of causing cancer.7
However, due to confounding factors such as smoking, the association between alcohol and lung cancer has been viewed with scepticism. Isolating the effects of alcohol on lung cancer is challenging because of the close relationship between smoking and drinking. However, it is still crucial to acknowledge the potential role of alcohol in lung cancer risk.
After ingesting alcohol, the body breaks it into smaller byproducts, such as acetaldehyde. This product is toxic to the genetic makeup of the cell. It acts on DNA by damaging it and blocking the synthesis and repair process.8 DNA carries information for the smooth running of the human body. Damaging DNA can lead to cell mutations, resulting in uncontrolled cellular division and proliferation. The damaged cells may be unable to repair the damage, potentially causing cancer.
Alcohol can alter the hormonal levels in our bodies, such as increasing oestrogen levels.8 Hormones are chemical signals that act as messengers and enable communication in the body. An increase in the levels of certain hormones can lead to increased cell division, thereby raising the risk of cancer.9
While studies have shown a clear association between alcohol and cancer in areas such as the stomach, liver, and breast, the link between alcohol consumption and lung cancer remains less clear.10 Confounding factors complicate this association, thereby more research has to be done to draw a clear and consistent connection between the two.
In 2016, the American Journal of Epidemiology found that excessive drinking (more than seven drinks per day) raised the risk of lung cancer.11 Similarly, based on the review by Oregon State University, people with alcohol use disorder experience a higher risk of lung cancer compared to those without the disorder.12 However, there might be confounding factors, like smoking, diet, gender, and racial demographics of the target population, which might complicate the associations.
To isolate the effect of drinking on lung cancer without the influence of smoking, a study published in 2015 found that heavy drinking (defined as more than three drinks per day) for non-smokers raises the risk of lung cancer by 30%.13
However, separate research has produced contrary results suggesting that higher consumption of alcohol was associated with a lower risk of developing lung cancer in non-smokers.14 Therefore, more research is needed to achieve consistent and reliable findings before a definitive conclusion can be made regarding the relationship between alcohol consumption and lung cancer risk.
In 2016, the American Journal of Epidemiology also found that consuming moderate amounts of alcohol (one drink or fewer per day) was associated with a reduced risk of developing lung cancer.11 Furthermore, another observational study supported the claim that moderate alcohol consumption (less than 20g/d) could prevent lung cancer.
Outside lung cancer, several studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption is good for health and can reduce the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes and reduce patient mortality.15,16
However, it is essential to interpret these findings cautiously, as the relationship between alcohol consumption and lung cancer is complex and may be influenced by several other factors.
This article concludes with the acknowledgement that while alcohol may not directly cause lung cancer, as a carcinogen, it can increase the risk of lung cancer. More research is needed to draw a conclusive relationship barring the effects of confounders. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, alcohol is a harmful substance to your body and therefore, it is essential to address alcohol addiction promptly and moderate your weekly alcohol consumption.
