New research out of Brown University and Harvard Medical School suggests that increased alcohol consumption could significantly impact your likelihood of developing skin cancer.
According to researchers, every 10-gram increase in alcohol consumed each day was associated with a greater risk of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, the two most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer. Statistic show that roughly 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed in the United States every year.
Basal cell carcinomas are by far the most common form of skin cancer, accounting for roughly 80 percent of cases. This type of cancer is formed in the basal cells, housed in the lower part of the epidermis. Squamous cell skin cancers account for roughly 20 percent of skin cancers. These cancers form in the squamous cells in the outer layer of the epidermis.
Alcohol Consumption and Skin Cancer Formation
Following prevention advice like using sunscreen can help protect us from skin cancer, but so too can cutting back on certain lifestyle activities. Avoiding tanning beds is one such activity, but new research suggests reducing alcohol intake could also be beneficial.
To get a better understanding on the link between alcohol intake and skin cancer likelihood, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 307 studies that previously examined the association. Eventually, researchers narrowed their focus to 13 similar studies that involved nearly 92,000 cases of basal cell carcinoma and nearly 3,300 cases of squamous cell carcinoma.
After looking at the results, researchers uncovered that for every 10-gram increase in alcohol intake each day, the risk of basal cell carcinoma increased by 7 percent, while the risk of squamous cell carcinoma increased by 11 percent. For reference, a standard drink in the US contains 14 grams of alcohol.
Further Investigation
Researchers want to do more investigation into the link between alcohol consumption and skin cancer, but they urge the public and health professionals to heed the early results. If skin cancer runs in your family or you are looking to reduce your likelihood of developing skin cancer, take a closer look at your alcohol consumption. Cutting back could greatly reduce your risk, and it could also help contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle.
If you have questions about a mole on your body, or you just want to talk about other ways to reduce your risk of skin cancer, reach out to Dr. Koeplin’s office today.
