Every country’s inhabitants consume alcohol in their respective living cultures. Socially, there is a benefit from drinking some in moderation; however, excessive drinking causes numerous diseases. Among the more alarming associations that scientists have followed over the years is the one that involves alcohol intake and pancreatic cancer. This paper shall look into that connection, define technical terms in plain language, and summarize the studies conducted.
Understanding the pancreas and its function
Before we examine the correlation of alcohol and pancreatic cancer, it can be handy to know basically what the pancreas is and does. The pancreas is one organ in your abdomen behind your stomach, 6 inches long and pear-shaped but flat.
There are two primary roles by which the pancreas functions in the body. They are, the production of digestive enzymes to facilitate digestion of foods taken into the body as well as the production of hormones such as insulin which regulate the levels of sugar in the bloodstream. These enzymes hydrolyze fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into their constituent parts, so these can be assimilated to the bloodstream, where they can be used by the body as an energy source. Insulin is responsible for storing and using sugar taken from whatever you eat and drink.
A failure of the pancreas leads to severe health conditions, which can include pancreatic cancer indiscriminately.
What is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer develops and proliferates within the pancreas cells. It causes at least minimal damage, and typically, tumor formation is a relatively easy outcome. It is hazardous because it frequently allows its bearer not to have many manifestations in the early stages. The challenge lies in this stage, as it becomes difficult to notice or catch it until it affects other parts of the body.
Although rare, pancreatic cancer ranks among the deadliest cancers due to its often advanced diagnosis, making treatment challenging. Therefore, for prevention and early identification, it is vital to know about pancreatic cancer risk factors such as alcohol consumption.
Alcohol and Pancreatic Cancer Connection
Studies have established a prominent association between high levels of alcohol intake and an upsurge in the chances of developing pancreatic cancer. Understanding this connection has proven challenging because many elements contribute, such as etiology, prevalence, and so on.
How does alcohol affect the pancreas?
When you sip on alcohol, your pancreatic system must work twice as hard. Alcohol can cause the pancreas to release poisonous substances to which it responds with an inflamed and swollen state called pancreatitis. This causes repeated occurrences of inflammation, ultimately damaging this vital organ and increasing the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Envision your pancreas as a manufacturing plant for critical items (enzymes and hormones). Drinking alcohol resembles pouring sand into factory machinery. Initially, the machines may still operate, but at higher effort levels; after that, if one continues pouring sand daily, eventually these machines will start breaking down. In the same way, constant exposure to alcohol can damage your pancreas over time.
The role of chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas for a period longer than months, is closely related to excessive alcohol consumption. Patients with chronic pancreatitis are highly prone to pancreatic cancer compared to the standard population. Statistics show that among the patients with chronic pancreatitis, five percent may face a risk of pancreatic cancer in the coming twenty years.
Heavy drinking may result in a chain reaction; this then raises the possibility of having pancreatic cancer, hence chronic pancreatitis. Researchers suggest that alcohol primarily contributes to the risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
How much alcohol increases pancreatic cancer risk?
Although no one can say precisely what amount of alcohol consumption definitely increases the risk to a high level of developing pancreatic cancer, evidence shows that the most significant hazard is drinking over an extended period of heavy consumption. According to the general definition, “heavy drinking” is described as more than three drinks per day for men and more than two drinks per day for women.
In a vast case-control study, they say there was an increased risk of 22% risk of pancreatic cancer among consumers of 30 or more grams of alcohol per day, or about 2-3 drinks. The British Journal of Cancer reported the most significant risks.
On the other hand, one must understand that everyone who drinks heavy alcohol does not develop pancreatic cancer. It is a risk factor, and most consumers suffer from this condition.
Other risk factors for pancreatic cancer
Even as we discuss the links between drinking and pancreatic cancer, there are still more risk factors involved. They encompass:
- Smoking: Considered one of the leading causes, those who smoke are more likely to develop pancreas tumors twice than those without this.
- Age: In most cases, the risk increases with age. Most patients have pancreatic cancer above 65 years of age.
- Family history: The risk is raised if a family history of a first-degree relative, be the parent, sibling, or child who experienced pancreatic cancer.
- Obesity: Any form of critical overweight raises the risk of acquiring pancreatic cancer.
- Diabetes: Previous history of long-term type 2 diabetes raises the risk of acquiring pancreatic cancer.
- Chronic pancreatitis: This is due to most cases caused by chronic alcohol exposure but may sometimes be due to other causes as well.
Knowing these risk factors will enable you to make better health and behavioral choices.
How can alcohol cause pancreatic cancer?
The answer needs to be clarified because scientists are still trying to find precise ways about how alcohol might cause the disease. As a part of the research, they have proposed several hypotheses:
- Damage to DNA: Acetaldehyde is a substance produced when ethanol metabolizes in an organism. It can harm DNA and cause tumors.
- Oxidative stress: Alcoholism may produce destructive molecules known as free radicals. These can destroy both cells and genetic material.
- Changes in the pancreas: Chronic drinking alters pancreatic cell structures that are susceptible to becoming cancerous.
- Interactions with other substances: Alcohol may increase access to other carcinogens in the pancreas (for example, cigarette smoke).
- Effects on immunity: Alcohol can negatively affect the immune system, which usually acts like a properly working shield against cancer.
Alcohol seems to create numerous opportunities for the development of cancer. So, each of these effects could contribute a little bit to increasing your chances of developing pancreatic cancer.
Risk reduction: What can you do?
Below are some tips to prevent pancreatic cancer by neutralizing risk factors. You cannot change some factors, such as age and family history. However, we have given some steps that you can take to reduce the risk.
- Decrease drinking: Health organizations have guidelines on proper consumption patterns worldwide.
- No smoking: If you do not smoke, don’t start. Try to stop if you already smoke. Support in quitting smoking will be available from your doctor.
- Healthy weight: Eat well and exercise as much and as often as necessary to achieve a healthy weight.
- Control diabetes: When you have a condition diagnosed with diabetes, control it through frequent visits to your doctor.
- Avoid dangerous exposure to chemicals: Some chemicals found in workplaces have a potential risk of pancreatic cancer. If you use chemicals at workplaces, take due precautions on safety measures.
Following these steps does not guarantee pancreatic cancer prevention, but they can reduce the risk.
To sum up
The connection between pancreatic cancer and alcohol is complex yet significant to understand. Although light alcohol consumption may not significantly increase your chances of developing pancreatic cancer, chronic excessive intake can damage the pancreatic tissue and potentially result in malignancy. By comprehending this interplay and other risk factors, one can make wise choices regarding one’s drinking habits while safeguarding one’s wellness.
Always consult a doctor for your specific risk factors and any concerns you may have. They will consider your health history and lifestyle before giving their advice specifically for you.
Remember that learning is strength when it comes to your wellbeing. By keeping up to date and making wise decisions about our health, you have made the first moves to avoid pancreatic cancer and other diseases.
References
- World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research. Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Pancreatic Cancer. Continuous Update Project Expert Report 2018. Available at https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/pancreatic-cancer/
- Gupta S, Wang F, Holly EA, Bracci PM. Risk of pancreatic cancer by alcohol dose, duration, and pattern of consumption, including binge drinking: a population-based study. Cancer Causes Control. 2010;21(7):1047-1059. doi:10.1007/s10552-010-9533-6
- Tramacere I, Scotti L, Jenab M, et al. Alcohol drinking and pancreatic cancer risk: a meta-analysis of the dose-risk relation. Int J Cancer. 2010;126(6):1474-1486. doi:10.1002/ijc.24936
- American Cancer Society. Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors. Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html