Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The main cause of lung cancer, specifically bronchogenic carcinoma, is smoking. However, this type of cancer also occurs in non-smokers and of course, many smokers do not get lung cancer. Therefore, the question arises as to what other factors may influence the risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers have pondered whether alcohol consumption may play a role. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(3):657-667) now shows that, indeed, alcohol can slightly increase the risk of lung cancer. Prior research in alcoholics has shown increased morbidity and death from lung cancer, but the results have never been separated from smoking status. Finally, there is evidence, that alcohol can independently affect risk of lung cancer.
Researchers analyzed the results of 7 prospective studies involving nearly 400,000 subjects, to ascertain the effects of alcohol both in combination and separately form smoking on relative risk of lung cancer. Their findings demonstrated a slightly greater risk for the consumption of 30 g alcohol per day (which corresponds to 2 drinks per day) than for that of 0g alcohol per day in men and women. Types of alcoholic beverages were separated and the analysis showed increased risk with spirits and beer and decreased risk with wine in men, while in women beer increased the risk. As well, there was little evidence of increased risk in smokers, which had previously been proposed as a mechanism i.e. that alcohol potentiates the carcinogenic effects of smoking.
Explanations for the effect of alcohol include carcinogenesis by the alcohol metabolite acetaldehyde, oxidation by alcohol, and induction by alcohol of cytochrome p450 that affects the metabolism of other procarcinogens. Although, this would not explain the differences observed for alcoholic beverage type. This study showed only a small increase in risk of lung cancer and the authors state, "Smoking remains the most important cause of this disease, which has considerable effect on public health."
Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 5, 2006 09:15 AM
