Alcohol and Cancer: How Heavy Drinking Increases Cancer Risk
Excessive alcohol consumption has been found to damage parts of cells linked to premature ageing and an increased risk of cancer, according to researchers from the University of Milan. The study revealed that drinking heavily causes stress and inflammation to telomeres, the protective ends of DNA strands crucial for maintaining genetic stability.
The Role of Telomeres
Telomeres naturally shorten as we age, and when they become too short, cells can no longer function properly and eventually die. This shortening process is associated with an increased risk of cancer. The study concluded that heavy alcohol consumption accelerates telomere shortening, making individuals more susceptible to cancer development.
Research Findings
The researchers studied over 250 volunteers of similar ages, with 59 of them drinking more than four alcoholic drinks per day. The results showed that individuals who drank heavily had dramatically shortened telomeres compared to moderate drinkers. In some cases, telomere length was nearly half as long in heavy drinkers.
Lead researcher Dr. Andrea Baccarelli noted that heavy drinkers tend to exhibit premature ageing, which aligns with the biological clock present in all cells through their telomeres. The findings suggest that the physical signs of ageing seen in heavy drinkers are also reflected at the cellular level.
Implications
These findings, presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual conference, further reinforce the link between heavy alcohol use and increased cancer risk. By damaging telomeres, excessive drinking accelerates cell aging and elevates the likelihood of developing age-related diseases, including cancer.
