Widespread habit may raise colorectal cancer risk more than you think
If someone stops drinking, the risk won’t disappear immediately, the doctor noted.
“It takes about an average of 10 years to know if cancer risk decreased or not,” she said. “But we do know that if you continue drinking, your risk will definitely increase.
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“That’s why we recommend that patients stop drinking or exponentially decrease their intake in the same way we tell them to exercise and increase fruits and vegetables in their diet.”
Sardinha pointed out that alcohol isn’t the only culprit.
“Not all heavy drinkers develop cancer, so there has to be some other mechanism that plays a role,” she said.
And not all types of alcohol are equal in terms of colorectal cancer risk, according to Dr. Nathan Goodyear, integrative medicine physician at Williams Cancer Institute in California.
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“The negative impact of spirits (hard liquor) is greater than beer, which is more than wine,” he told Fox News Digital.
A Danish study also found that wine consumption was associated with a lower risk of death, while beer and spirits were not, Goodyear pointed out. Spirits had the highest risk, especially at three to five drinks per day.
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“The effects of wine, beer and spirits were independent of each other,” the doctor said.
The context in which alcohol is consumed can also play a role, he noted.
In addition to stopping or limiting alcohol intake, doctors say other healthy lifestyle behaviors, like exercise, have been shown to decrease the chances of colorectal cancer. (iStock)
“In the U.S., alcohol is often used in the context of addiction — another hit to keep the high,” Goodyear said. “But in some communities, such as Sardina, Italy, and Ikaria, Greece, wine is part of the culture, social connections and community.”
“Wine is taken outside the context of addiction and taken within the context of a plant-based diet, social settings, daily movement, faith, community and life.”
Other ways to minimize risk
In addition to stopping or limiting alcohol intake, Sardinha shared other healthy lifestyle behaviors that have been shown to decrease the chances of colorectal cancer.
One “huge and well-established” factor is regular exercise, she said.
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“If you don’t exercise, if you don’t move, you definitely increase your risk of colorectal cancer,” she told Fox News Digital. “Even for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, once they have surgery and are able to exercise, that will improve their long-term prognosis.”
Smoking is another highly carcinogenic habit, and it’s a common myth that it’s only associated with lung cancer.
“We do know that if you continue drinking, your risk will definitely increase.”
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“Smoking is a risk factor for most cancers, and colorectal cancer is one of them,” Sardinha said.
Taking steps to address and prevent obesity is also a well-established way to minimize risk, as is adopting a healthy, high-fiber diet to promote proper bowel function, according to the doctor.
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“Diets that are lower in fiber are often more constipating, and, therefore, if there’s anything in the food that is carcinogenic, that is going to have more direct, prolonged contact with the bowel wall, with the cells, and increases the chances of DNA damage,” she said.
“Obviously, we cannot change our family history, but those good lifestyle habits will make a difference in the risk of colorectal cancer.”
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/widespread-habit-may-raise-colorectal-cancer-risk-more-than-you-think