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Alcohol in small doses increases the risk of developing cancer?

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
 
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24 September 2012, 09:05

Today, from the TV screens, we constantly hear calls for a healthy lifestyle. There are many reports about the dangers of alcohol abuse, especially for the cardiovascular system. However, often talking about strong drinks. Surely many agree with this. But for some reason we do not even think about the fact that alcohol in small doses can do the same harm to the body.

Most studies show that drinking alcohol, especially excessive drinking, increases the risk of cancer. However, scientists have identified a link between cancers and even small doses of alcohol.

Meta-analysis, published in the journal "Annals of Oncology", shows that the regular use of even low-alcohol drinks increases the risk of developing cancer.

The authors of the study concluded that a seemingly innocuous amount of alcohol can cause cancer of the oral cavity, esophagus and breast cancer in women. But experts have not detected a threat of developing cancer of the rectum, larynx and liver from small doses of alcohol.

However, the results of research by scientists, which were made on the basis of several studies in this direction, caused some confusion among observers.

They questioned the correctness of the findings of experts, because they included in the control group of people who use alcohol, and those who do not drink at all. Observers also noted that there were no data on long-term use of alcohol at various levels, and the geography of studies was not adjusted, and other factors that increased the risk of oncological diseases, such as smoking and lifestyle, were not excluded.

The discontent of the members of the forum did not abate even after the experts pointed out the limitations of their data.

They explain this by the fact that the researchers did not even bother to describe the consequences of using small doses of alcohol for the cardiovascular system and the much more frequent diseases caused by the use of alcohol.

People who questioned the results of research scientists believe that based on this information, only further studies of this problem are possible or simply the use of these data for general acquaintance. However, for such high-profile conclusions and recommendations to the public, the experts have too little information.

trusted-source[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

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