It damages differently, but a lot
There are several ways in which alcohol, more specifically ethanol, increases the risk of cancer.
Acetaldehyde , to which ethanol in the body is metabolized, is toxic and carcinogenic - it can damage both DNA and proteins.
Ethanol promotes the formation of oxygen radicals in the body - it also damages DNA and proteins, and in addition leads to oxidation (ie, damage) of lipids.
It negatively affects the absorption of a number of vitamins (especially vitamins A, C, B, D, E, beta-carotenes and folic acid).
Ethanol increases blood levels of estrogen in the blood that is associated with breast tumors.
In addition, alcoholic beverages may contain small amounts of by-products of fermentation such as nitrosamines, phenols and various hydrocarbons. They are all toxic to the human organism and cause damage to the molecules and cells.
Body in danger
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has already stated in 2010 that there is sufficient evidence to substantiate the carcinogenicity of alcohol. It is associated with tumors in particular:
Head and neck - mainly oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cavities,
Esophagus,
Liver,
Breast,
Intestines and rectum.
With the exception of renal and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, however, at least slightly increased risk was confirmed for other types of cancer.
How big is the danger?
The direct proportion - the more alcohol you drink per day and the longer we drink, the higher the risk. The findings of a British study, involving about 28,000 women, indicate that every 10 grams of alcohol (roughly a small beer) consumed daily increases by 12% the risk of breast cancer. Another research has shown that drinking 50g of alcohol per day (roughly 3-4 beers) increases up to three times the risk of head and neck cancer. Especially for this group of consumers, another important factor is the fact that the combination of alcohol and tobacco does not count for the risk of head and neck cancer, but it is multiplied!
Why not prefer to drink
It is often said that red wine, specifically resveratrol contained therein, protects against cancer and generally benefits health. Unfortunately, the scientists have definitely refuted this theory . On the contrary, they confirmed that blood levels of resveratrol do not affect the incidence of cancer (neither cardiovascular or inflammatory diseases nor longevity). Risk assessment studies in people who have stopped drinking regularly deal with head and neck tumors. Here, the risk is reduced but gradually and only after several years of abstinence.
Source: Cancer Treatment