"Study Highlights: Lowering Alcohol Intake May Significantly Decrease Cancer Risk"
A report in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that giving up or reducing alcohol consumption can significantly lower the risk of oral and esophageal cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed multiple studies and found that abstaining from alcohol for extended periods could reduce oral cancer risk by up to 55% and esophageal cancer risk by up to 65%. The body metabolizes alcohol into acetaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and alcohol also has genotoxic effects, damaging DNA and potentially leading to cancer. While the evidence for other types of cancer is limited, the report emphasizes that there is no safe amount of alcohol when it comes to cancer prevention, and all types of alcoholic beverages are linked to an increased risk of cancer. Health guidelines recommend limiting alcohol intake to reduce cancer risk.