What Cancers Are Caused by Alcoholism?
It is well known that alcohol use, especially in excess, is associated with an elevated risk of cancer. Alcohol has harmful effects on cellular structure, function and metabolism, leading to long-term cellular damage, genetic transformation and the onset of tumor formation. Cancer risk from moderate alcohol use is low; excessive overuse of “hard” alcohol, however, is a leading cause of many cancers of the mouth and digestive system. Risk of other major cancers such as those of the lungs, breast, and prostate, is also associated with alcohol use.
