While in most European countries alcohol consumption is decreasing, in Romania it has increased by approximately 30% in the last 10 years. Several types of cancer are closely related to alcohol consumption.
The highest rate of alcohol consumers in the world is recorded in the European region of the World Health Organization. Alcohol causes approximately one million deaths here annually, being responsible for 1 in 4 deaths registered in the 20-24 age group, according to an informative material on the website of the National Institute of Public Health.
New information also links alcohol to eight types of cancer, with tens of thousands of new cases registered annually in Europe due to consumption.
Even moderate alcohol consumption does not protect us from the risk of cancer, with light to moderate consumption (less than 20 g of pure alcohol per day) being linked to 13.3% of cancer cases, which means the equivalent of approximately 23,000 new cases (European data, from 2017).
Alcohol causes about 17% of all eight types of cancer
There are eight types of cancer closely related to alcohol consumption, according to public health specialists: breast cancer, colon cancer, laryngeal cancer, liver cancer, esophagus cancer, pharyngeal cancer, oral cavity cancer, rectal cancer.
Alcohol consumption in Romania has become a problem, according to the data available for 2023, our country being among the countries with the highest level of consumption in the European Union. Moreover, while the general trend observed in most EU member countries is a decrease in consumption, in Romania, in the last 10 years, consumption has increased by 30%.
“In addition, on average, over a third of adults in Romania said they drank alcohol to excess at least once a month in 2019, the second highest rate in the EU (35.0% compared to the EU average of 18.5%), with a marked gender difference: 53.1% of men vs. 18% of women”it is stated in the cited article.
Of the new cancer cases, 18 cases per 100,000 inhabitants are associated with alcohol consumption, compared to 12.3 cases, which is the average of the European Union.
The most affected are obviously men, who are even greater alcohol consumers, in their case new cases of cancer related to alcohol consumption being 29.1 per 100,000 inhabitants (compared to 8.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the case of women).
Globally, alcohol consumption, which has become a major threat to public health, causes 2.6 million deaths annually. It is also involved in the occurrence of over 200 medical conditions, in addition to the previously mentioned types of cancer, which include: mental and behavioral disorders, neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases. 7% of the world’s population aged 15 and over live with alcohol-related conditions.
7 out of 10 Romanian students believe that it is easy to obtain an alcoholic drink
In Romania, alcohol consumption starts as early as adolescence. According to the data of the ESPAD 2024 European study on alcohol consumption among 15-year-old students in Romania, cited by INSP, 4 out of 10 students state that they consumed alcohol at the age of 13 or earlier. One student in 10 had alcohol poisoning by the age of 13, and 8 in 10 students said they had consumed alcohol at least once in their life. It is not a problem to procure alcoholic beverages either, although selling them to minors is theoretically prohibited in Romania: 7 out of 10 students believe that it is easy to obtain an alcoholic beverage.
The addictive risk, public health specialists show, is particularly high, with teenagers who consume alcohol before the age of 15 presenting a four times greater risk of becoming addicted in adulthood.
How alcohol causes cancer
Public health experts describe four mechanisms by which alcohol causes cancer:
– Acetaldehyde – a toxic and carcinogenic substance, resulting from the breakdown of alcohol, damages DNA and prevents cells from repairing these injuries;
– Hormonal changes – alcohol can change the level of estrogen (increases the risk of breast cancer in women) or insulin;
– Oxidative stress – induced by alcohol damages DNA and affects its repair, favoring cell mutations;
– Folate deficiency and DNA methylation – caused by alcohol itself and an unhealthy lifestyle related to alcohol. Folate deficiency is associated with colorectal cancer.
Are only hard drinks unhealthy?
A number of myths circulating about alcohol consumption are countered with arguments.
One of these myths is that “only hard drinks are dangerous”.
It’s just that all types of alcohol (beer, wine, liquor) can cause cancer, and that’s because the main carcinogenic compound is ethanol. Other compounds in alcoholic beverages that affect health are: acetaldehyde (a metabolite of alcohol), methanol, ethyl carbamate, heavy metals (including copper, iron, manganese, nickel, tin, and zinc), which may be present in commercially produced as well as home-brewed alcoholic beverages.
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And there is not only the danger of cancer, but of 200 other conditions, including infectious diseases, mental and behavioral disorders, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases and, not least on the list, accidents.
Another myth is that “if I exercise, I can drink alcohol without worry”. The latest studies show that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption for cancer risk. Physical activity is beneficial to health, but it cannot compensate for the risks associated with alcohol consumption.
When we talk about the “safe” amount, we’re talking about another myth, which says that “a glass a day is healthy.” And this myth is busted, with a global study led by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) showing that in 2020, more than 740,000 new cancer cases were linked to cancer consumption, the study showing that there is no safe amount.
What happens when you stop drinking alcohol?
On the other hand, giving up alcohol has obvious benefits, especially in the long term. Improves cognitive functions – concentration, memory, planning, organization, self-control and optimization of reaction time; lowers blood pressure to normal values; maintain body weight; regeneration of affected liver cells is possible; reduces insulin resistance and normalizes blood sugar levels; the risk of cancer decreases with each year of abstinence; improves skin appearance; improves sleep quality.
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It also influences problem solving, communication and empathy. Increases confidence and self-respect, increases interest in previously neglected activities and hobbies.
For parents who need a strong reason to give up alcohol consumption, be it frequent or occasional, it is worth noting the role models that adults have for children.
“Their attitude towards alcohol consumption, the way they discuss this topic and their personal behavior significantly influence teenagers’ future choices”also show the INSP specialists, who are even launching a challenge, declaring the month of June as “National Month without alcohol consumption”.
