Alcohol

Is there any link between Alcohol and Pancreatic Cancer?

Apparently yes to a certain degree! There is no conclusive medical evidence, but there is a logically close relationship between alcohol and pancreatic cancer. In fact, consumption of high amounts of alcohol increases the risk levels for various cancers, whether it is a breast cancer or any other cancer disease. As per figures, Alcohol consumption is answerable for 3.6% cancer patients and 3.5% cancer deaths worldwide. Not only the cancer of pancreas, but, also the risk of cancers of oesophagus, pharynx, mouth, breast, liver, stomach, ovaries and larynx increases with regular intake of alcohol. A study conducted in year 2009 revealed that 2,100 Australians pass away due to alcohol related cancer every year. Similarly, another study in 2011 shows one in 10 of all cancers in male patients and one in 33 women patients were rooted by past or present alcohol intake.
“Heavy drinking causes death in about 7 out of 10 cases of chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is also behind the pancreatic cancer as another risk factor. But it is not as harmful as other factors, so if we talk about the link between alcohol and pancreatic cancer, then, it is very low to compare.” While the connection between the alcohol intake and the pancreatitis is well known and clear but the relationship between alcohol and pancreatic cancer is still under observation. It cannot be considered as a ‘Major Factor’. As a matter of fact, there is no risk for people consuming up to 30grams of alcohol a day. Along with the excessive alcohol intake, it is the fat and smoking habits that add fuel to fire.
Pancreatic Cancer is the most common reason behind cancer deaths as per US based survey. It is true that alcohol cannot be taken as a major reason for pancreatic Cancer but ‘Excessive Alcohol Intake’ (which implies that two drinks a day) can surely enhance the chances for a person to have pancreatic cancer in the future. To make it more factual, according to Researcher Jeanine M. Genkinger, an assistant professor of oncology at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. , states “We saw a 22% higher risk of pancreatic cancer in those who drank two or more alcoholic beverages a day compared to non-drinkers.”
Genkinger and her co-researchers have termed this risk factor as “modest”. Pancreatic Cancer became deadly in the early days of its research when it was difficult to diagnose and nearly 38,000 people were found suffering from it in 2008, as per the details given by American Cancer Society. In 2008, the computed numbers of U.S. cancer deaths were 6% in both men and women. The evidence about the link between alcohol and pancreatic cancer is still conflicting, with more studies of alcohol intake ongoing. As per the logical findings, heavy consumption of alcohol is connected to chronic inflammation of pancreas which we call pancreatitis and type 2 diabetes, and both increases fear of pancreatic cancer in the body. So, possibly, heavy consumption of alcohol becomes a risk factor too.
As per more studies conducted by Genkinger and her team, that included a survey on 863,000 men and women, along with their dietary habits; In their study, 2,187 men and women were analysed suffering from pancreatic cancer. First of all, Genkinger found out that 22% increase in risk for two or more drinks a day, the women who drank two or more a day had a 41% increased threat compared to non-drinkers. On which Genkinger gave her remarks as “that was statistically significant.” Whereas the men had 12% increased threat factor as per a comparison to non-drinkers. Similarly, when men switched to three glasses, the threat rose to 60%. To sum up as per their study, Alcoholics had only 40% excess risk for pancreatic cancer.

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Things that can be done to lower high blood pressure…

What is High Blood Pressure?
Arteries carry blood from heart to rest of the body. While carrying blood they put pressure on artery walls. This pressure is called blood pressure and high blood pressure occurs when your blood moves through your arteries at a higher pressure than normal.
The upper or first number in a blood pressure reading is the systolic pressure which is the peak blood pressure when your heart is squeezing blood out and the lower or second number is called the diastolic pressure which is the pressure when your heart is filling with blood relaxing between beats. A normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. Symptoms may include dizziness or dizzy spells, headache or nosebleeds.

Causes of High Blood Pressure
- Weight
- Activity level
- Use of tobacco
- Excessive sodium intake
- Stress
- Low potassium intake
- Age and alcohol consumption
- Diabetes
- Some causes are kidney disease, hormonal disorders, thyroid disease, adrenal gland disease, and the use of certain drugs.
The complications that are caused by high blood pressure are narrowing of the arteries, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure or eye damage.

Things that can be done to reduce high blood pressure
- Reducing your salt intake, eating more fruit and vegetables and keeping to alcohol limits will lower your blood pressure.
- Being more active and taking regular exercise lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and arteries in good condition.
- Being the right weight lowers blood pressure because your heart doesn’t have to work so hard.
- Try Yoga, it will reduce stress.
- Eat a healthy and well balanced diet.
- Limit the intake of alcohol.
- Avoid tobacco products and secondhand smoke.
- Cut your caffeine intake.
- Have cholesterol and triglycerides checked regularly.
- Increase your fiber intake.