Alcohol-Related Cancers A Growing Concern In India

New Delhi: Alcohol-related cancers are a growing concern in India, said health experts on Monday, even as the World Health Organization (WHO) recently called for prominent health warning labels on alcoholic beverages.

The WHO defines alcohol as a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance that has been, decades ago, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Group 1 carcinogen is the highest risk group, which also includes asbestos, radiation, and tobacco.

“Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer, and more than 20 types of cancers can be attributed to consumption of alcohol,” Dr (Prof) Puneet Garg, Vascular Interventional Radiologist and Endovascular Surgeon, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, told reporters.

The most common cancers linked to alcohol are of mouth, throat, foodpipe, stomach, colon, rectum, and pancreas. It also causes cancers of the breast in women and prostate in males.

“In India, alcohol-related cancers are a growing concern. Alcohol metabolises into acetaldehyde -- a toxic compound that can damage DNA and proteins -- leading to mutations that initiate cancer development. In addition, alcohol can impair the body's ability to absorb essential nutrients like folate and vitamins A, C, D, and E, which are vital for maintaining healthy cells and preventing cancer,” Dr Taraprasad Tripathy, Assistant Professor at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar, Odisha, told reporters.

Alcohol is a well-established carcinogen that is contributing significantly to the global burden of the deadly disease. Nearly 4 per cent of cancers diagnosed worldwide can be attributed to alcohol consumption, according to the WHO.