Alcohol: leading cause of 7 cancers

PSNews- Alcohol may cause cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, colorectal and liver to people as well as  breast cancer to women. The more people drink, the greater the risk of cancer they may face.

Alcohol is to blame for 7 common types of cancers. Photo for illustration
Alcohol is to blame for 7 common types of cancers. Photo for illustration

This information is provided by the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health - MOH) at the workshop on preventing harms of alcohol and cancer, organized by the Department of Preventive Medicine in collaboration with the Cancer Research Institute On April 19, in Hanoi.

A survey conducted by the MOH shows that 77.3% of men and 11% of women drink alcohol as their habit, said Dr. Truong Dinh Bac, Deputy Head of the Preventive Medicine Department. Of them, 44.2% of men and 1.2% of women drink a dangerous level amount of alcohol. Ethanol in alcohol is a carcinogen for humans.

Alcohol is one of the leading causes of non-communicable diseases, including cancer. The development of cancer usually occurs after a person starts drinking for 2 years and more, even after he or she stopped drinking.

It is estimated that Vietnam has 100,000 to 150,000 new cancer cases each year and about 75,000 deaths from cancer, according to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Huong, Deputy Head of the Cancer Research Institute. By 2020, Vietnam is expected to have nearly 200,000 new cases of cancer. The causes of cancer may vary, but a group of factors related to eating, drinking, inadequate diet and unsafe food.

According to Dr. Le Dinh Tung, at the Subject of Biology of the Hanoi Medical University, results of health surveys show that the rate of women drinking alcohol is on the rise. The more educated and the wealthier women are, the more likely they are to contract bad habits. The children of alcoholics have the possibility to become hard drinkers 3-4 times higher than non-alcoholic drinkers’ children.

The risk of alcohol-related cancers in Vietnam is significant, as Dr. Truong Dinh Bac said, and the alcohol consumption in Vietnam is currently the highest in Southeast Asia, behind only Japan and China in the region. Vietnam consumes 200 million liters and more than 3 billion liters of beer per year.

In particular, young people who start drinking before the age of 15 can have five times as many problems from alcohol as people starting drinking at 21years old. Youngsters starting drinking alcohol at early ages have four times more possibility of being alcohol addicts; six times more possibility of violence after drinking; six times more possibility of road accidents; and five times more of injury, than normal people.

The Ministry of Health recommends that in order to reduce the risk of cancer and other related illnesses, people should not drink alcohol, or if they drink, they should control the intake. Additionally, people should not drink alcohol while taking drugs reacting with alcohol or suffering the diseases to be worsened by alcohol. Pregnant or feeding women must not drink alcohol as this harms the fetus and the baby.

By Duy Tien

Other News

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

To accelerate the implementation of the the Ethnic Affairs Strategy by 2030, with a vision toward 2045, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of State management and strengthening oversight of policy implementation.

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

The team examined the APEC 2027 Convention Centre, where main conference activities are scheduled; Sun Serenia Hospital, designated to provide healthcare and emergency medical services for delegates; provincial road DT.975, which connects Phu Quoc International Airport to the convention centre; and the area surrounding Phu Quoc International Airport.

Hanoi accelerates seven Red River bridge projects, many exceed 70% completion

Hanoi accelerates seven Red River bridge projects, many exceed 70% completion

According to the municipal Transport Construction Investment Project Management Board, the city is simultaneously implementing seven projects, namely Tu Lien, Ngoc Hoi, Tran Hung Dao, Thuong Cat, Van Phuc, Hong Ha and Me So bridges. Construction is being carried out on multiple fronts, focusing on bored piles, pile caps, piers and superstructure works.

Dien Bien battlefield legacy powers tourism revival

Dien Bien battlefield legacy powers tourism revival

Seventy-two years after the Dien Bien Phu Victory, its legacy still reverberates. The unity, self-reliance, and resilience forged in that historic triumph remain a powerful internal engine, now propelling Dien Bien toward fast and sustainable development.

Hanoi accelerates shift to green buses, targets 100% by 2030

Hanoi accelerates shift to green buses, targets 100% by 2030

In the 2027–2030 period, the city will accelerate the transition towards the complete phase-out of fossil fuel-powered buses. The share of electric and green energy-fueled buses is projected to reach 79–89% by 2029 and 100% by 2030.

36 fishermen safely rescued after boat breaks down near Truong Sa

36 fishermen safely rescued after boat breaks down near Truong Sa

At 8:00 the same day, KN475 began towing the disabled fishing boat toward Da Tay A island. The towing operation was carried out safely, and by 18:30 both the vessel and its crew had arrived at the island without incident, where repairs and additional support procedures were arranged.

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Held in response to the launch of the Vietnamese Language Day among overseas Vietnamese communities, the event aimed to enhance the quality of Vietnamese language teaching and learning in Laos while contributing to the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Held in response to the launch of the Vietnamese Language Day among overseas Vietnamese communities, the event aimed to enhance the quality of Vietnamese language teaching and learning in Laos while contributing to the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.

Hanoi launches 10 electric bus routes from April 1

Hanoi launches 10 electric bus routes from April 1

By the end of April, the number of buses using electricity and other green energy sources in the city is expected to reach 822, including 683 electric buses and 139 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, representing 42.1% of the total number of vehicles.