Impossible to spot it with the naked eye, or to feel the effects immediately. And yet, from the first glass, alcohol begins a discreet but very real process in the body. Classified carcinogenic proven by the International Center for Research on Cancer (CIRC), it does not present a clearly established safety threshold. Even in low doses, its repeated consumption can have an impact on areas of the body of the sometimes unsuspected body.
French habits in the face of alcohol, between culture and frequency
In France, alcohol remains strongly anchored in culture, especially through wine consumption. The image of a shared glass at the table, “” seems almost harmless. However, according to Public Health France, 23.7 % of French people exceed low -risk consumption benchmarks, set at two glasses per day and not every day. Women are on average more moderate, but are not spared.
Wine is the most consumed alcoholic drink in France, in front of beer and spirits. A habit perceived as healthy or cultural, sometimes even justified by arguments of “”; which no longer face recent studies. Alcohol, whatever its type, is now identified as a proven risk factor for several diseases, including cancer. And contrary to what we think, this risk is not reserved for “”.
The 7 organs concerned by the carcinogenic effects of alcohol
According to the CRF publications and the National Cancer Institute, seven cancer locations are today directly associated with alcohol consumption, even in low doses:
- Mouth
- The pharynx (throat)
- The larynx (vocal cords)
- The esophagus
- The liver
- The Colon-Rectim
- Breasts (in women)
The mechanism is multiple: alcohol irritates mucous membranes, disturbs liver functions, modifies the intestinal flora, alters DNA and plays on sex hormones. For example, it increases the level of circulating estrogen, which can influence the growth of breast cells. For digestive organs, acetaldehyde – a molecule resulting from the transformation of ethanol – which is involved. It is also classified as probable carcinogen, and can cause cellular mutations.
It was these cumulative scientific data, from large -scale studies, which have led the CIR to classify alcohol as a carcinogenic group 1, in the same way as tobacco or asbestos. A classification that applies regardless of the type of alcohol consumed, including wine.
Should we worry if we rarely drink or if we have stopped?
The message may seem worrying, but it is not there to feel guilty. Above all, it aims to inform. The risk of cancer increases from the first glass, but that does not mean that an occasional glass will necessarily trigger a disease. This risk increases with the frequency, duration and quantity consumed. In other words, the accumulation counts.
Conversely, reducing consumption or stopping alcohol allows the body to reduce the risks gradually, sometimes significantly. Some cellular functions are repaired, the liver regenerates, and hormonal levels can return to balance. According to a synthesis published in the, the overall risk of cancer decreases significantly after several years without alcohol, especially for cancers in the mouth, the liver or the breast.
Drinking alcohol, even rarely, is never trivial with regard to the available data. If the risks increase with the frequency and the duration of consumption, the effects of punctual use are still under study. The important thing is to learn about the established facts and to remain attentive to your habits, without drawing hasty conclusions on an individual case.
FAQ – Alcohol and cancer: 5 questions you really ask yourself
1. Is there really a “legal” quantity and safe per day?
Recommendations often mention a number of glasses per day or per week. But that does not mean that there is a safe threshold.
2. Why do some people absorb alcohol differently?
Age, weight, sex, sex or genetics can influence the way alcohol is metabolized by the body.
3. A single watered evening, is it risky if it’s exceptional?
Even an punctual excess can have an impact, especially on the digestive, hormonal system or behavior.
4. Tobacco and alcohol together, is it really more dangerous?
Yes, the effects of one strengthen those of the other. Their combination greatly increases the risk of certain cancers.
5. Does the risk of cancer really decrease if we drink less?
Reducing consumption can, over time, lower certain risks. The impact depends on the duration and the past habits.
