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Even moderate drinking of alcohol increases cancer risks
In Germany, people drink more than average alcohol. This has health consequences. Those who consume too much beer, wine or schnapps increase their individual risk for numerous diseases. The cancer risk is increased even by small amounts.
Number of cancer diagnoses has doubled
According to experts, around 14 million people worldwide contract cancer every year and around 8.8 million people die of it. Also in Germany there are more and more cancer cases. The number of new diagnoses has almost doubled in this country since 1970. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), every second German citizen will get sick sooner or later. To reduce the personal risk of cancer, among other things, the alcohol consumption should be kept as low as possible.
Who drinks, harms his health sustainable. The regular consumption of even small amounts of alcohol increases the personal risk of cancer. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia.com) A bathtub full of beer
Anyone who drinks harms their health sustainably: a high consumption can in principle damage any organ of the human body. Alcohol increases the risk of numerous diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure, fatty liver and nerve damage.
In addition, the regular consumption of even small amounts of personal cancer risk increases, reports the German Cancer Aid in a recent communication on the occasion of the action week alcohol, which takes place every two years under the auspices of the German Agency for Addiction (DHS).
According to DHS dies statistically "every seven minutes a person in Germany, because the alcohol has damaged the liver and pancreas, throat, stomach and intestine or the cardiovascular system".
Nevertheless, over 90 percent of the adult population in Germany drink alcohol, writes the German addiction service. One adult consumes about a bath of beer, wine and schnapps per capita per year.
Link between alcohol consumption and cancer
The drinking of alcohol is largely socially recognized and alcoholic beverages are virtually unlimited available. Only children and adolescents under the age of 16 are not allowed to drink alcohol.
"However, many people treat carelessly with alcohol because the connection between alcohol consumption and cancer is unknown or suppressed," says Gerd Nettekoven, CEO of the German Cancer Aid.
Experts estimate that alcoholic beverages are responsible for ten percent of all cancers in men and three percent of all cancers in women.
Regular consumption of alcohol promotes the development of various types of cancer, including breast, esophageal and colorectal cancer.
One of the causes of the cancer-promoting effect is acetaldehyde, a substance that is produced by the breakdown of alcohol in the body and is classified by scientists as carcinogenic.
Everyone can reduce their personal cancer risk
The individual cancer risk can be significantly reduced. When it comes to measures to prevent cancer, in addition to smoking waiver, especially the reduction of alcohol consumption is mentioned.
The managing director of DHS, Dr. Ing. Raphael Gaßmann, recommending the observance of rules in dealing with alcohol on the occasion of the action week alcohol: "Healthy men should not drink more than a quarter of a liter of wine or 0.6 liters of beer per day, healthy women half of it," said the expert.
"In addition, at least two non-alcoholic days per week should be inserted. However, it is difficult to set a limit because there is no risk-free consumption of alcohol. In addition, risks that could promote an alcohol-related illness should be avoided. This includes in particular tobacco smoking. "
However, every third man and every fifth woman exceed the recommended daily intake. In particular, the group of over 30-year-old men often develops risky drinking habits. The central message of the current action week is therefore: "Alcohol? Less is better! "(Ad)