Alcohol and Stomach Cancer: The Truth Behind the Links and Risks

Much research has been done to find the various causes and truths of the disease known as cancer. Although there are myriad correlations between cancer and lifestyle choices and causation theories, in relation to stomach cancer, much has yet to be uncovered. Contextually, this particular type of cancer with the lifestyle backdrop of the consumption of alcohol has yielded little in actual findings. In fact, with the research that has been concentrated solely upon cancer of the stomach, the findings have led scientists and observers to conclude that "alcohol consumption [is] not clearly related to [stomach cancer] risk" (Chow 871-876), but the indirect relationship between alcohol and stomach cancer remains to be seen:

Heavy alcohol intake can induce chronic gastritis, which is known to be a predisposing factor for stomach cancer. Alcohol might also increase stomach cancer risk by inducing alterations in gastric juice acidity, and some alcoholic beverages may be contaminated with carcinogenic substances. (NRN 103)

In light of such information, gender association with stomach cancer and alcohol was not found, yet ethnic, cultural, and national associations were seen outside of the United States. Europe was noted especially because the continental embrace of spirits-the northern region Italy was noted, "where alcohol consumption levels are among the highest in the world" (NRN 103), while Poland, demographically, also has a high rate of consumption in not only alcohol, but in caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea (Chow 871-876).

Due to the fluidity and indirect relation of alcohol use to stomach cancer, the populace affected by cancer has not been determined on a whole-scale basis in studies, although "heavy intake of total alcohol (at least eight drinks/day) or wine (six to eight or at least eight drinks/day) was associated with a small but significant increase in stomach cancer risk." (NRN 103)

According the World Health Organization, there are almost one million stomach cancer deaths per year. The amount of money is inexact, but the healthcare costs related to stomach cancer alone delve into the million-dollar mark. There are no official alcohol intake standards that are universal in the context of stomach cancer, other than limiting one's use of alcohol from moderate to low use. Preventative guidelines for stomach cancer are primarily based on case studies. "A negative association with fresh vegetables and fruits is highly consistent in numerous case-control studies in different populations" (Kono 41-55), while C and carotenoid vitamins were also shown to lower stomach cancer risk.

Due to my own non-use of alcoholic beverages, my own risk for stomach cancer is significantly lowered. People who consistently consume alcohol are posed with the threat of potential dangers of stomach cancers, but as aforementioned, those who consume large amounts of alcohol daily are put at the highest risk-essentially, I am "safe." All in all, this assignment has not truly changed my thinking in regards to alcohol use. What the assignment and the research associated with this assignment have actually done is reinforce my own beliefs in my absent usage of alcohol and like beverages. Alcohol is not needed for consumption in order for the body to be healthy (though light consumption of wine has been deemed heart-healthy); the potential for one to use alcohol and misuse it is somewhat risky, depending on the individual. Because of this, I choose not to drink, and because consistent use of alcohol can be an indirect, yet true threat to the body in the form of cancer, I will continue to refrain from it.

Bibliography

Alcohol and stomach cancer in northern Italy. Nutrition Research Newsletter. Sept 1994 v13 n9 p103(1).

Gonzalez, Carlos A. Nutrition and cancer: the current epidemiological evidence.

The British journal of nutrition. vol. 96 Suppl 1, (2006 Aug): S42-5.

Hoshiyama, Y. & Sasaba T. Biomedical and Life Sciences. Cancer Causes and ControlVolume 3, Number 5 / September, 1992 pg. 441-448.

Kono. S & Hirohata T. Biomedical and Life Sciences. Cancer Causes and Control Volume 7, Number 1 / January, 1996 pg. 41-55.

Chow W. Human cancer. International Journal of Cancer 8 Nov 1999 Volume 81, Issue 6 , Pages 871 - 876.

World Health Organization-www.who.int