Scientists Unravel Link Between Alcohol And Cancer

Related stories

Oba Otudeko: EFCC Drops ₦12.3 Billion Fraud Case After FirstHoldco Shares Sale

By Abiola Olawale The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)...

Super Falcons dethrone South Africa, romp into WAFCON final in Morocco

The Super Falcons of Nigeria booked their place in...

Big Oil’s Power Couple Heads to Guyana

Following the completion of Chevron’s acquisition of Hess Corporation,...

Think twice about that frothy, bubbly alcohol you consume as scientists have issued a new warning about its health effects by unravelling the linkage between it and cancer.

Alcohol damages the DNA of stem cells responsible for producing new blood, according to a mouse study which may explain the link between drinking and cancer, scientists said on Wednesday.

Health watchdogs have long warned that alcohol consumption contributes to seven types of cancer — of the mouth, throat, larynx or voice box, oesophagus or food pipe, breast, liver and bowel.

What was not well understood was: how?

For the new study, published in the science journal Nature, researchers gave lab mice diluted alcohol, known chemically as ethanol.

They then used chromosome and DNA analysis to examine genetic damage caused by acetaldehyde, a chemical produced when the body processes alcohol.

“They found that acetaldehyde can break and damage DNA within blood stem cells, leading to rearranged chromosomes and permanently altering the DNA sequences within these cells,” Cancer Research UK, which helped fund the research, said in a statement.

“It is important to understand how the DNA blueprint within stem cells is damaged because when healthy stem cells become faulty, they can give rise to cancer.”

DNA damage can lead to cell death, but can also trigger the body’s natural repair mechanisms. However, if the DNA is repaired incorrectly, it can lead to cancer.

“While some damage occurs by chance, our findings suggest that drinking alcohol can increase the risk of this damage,” said lead author Ketan Patel of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge.

The team also examined how the body fights against alcohol damage using a family of enzymes called ALDH, which turn acetaldehyde into acetate, which cells can use as energy.

Millions of people — particularly from Southeast Asia — either lack these enzymes or carry faulty versions, said the team. And mice lacking ALDH, given alcohol, suffered four times as much DNA damage.

“Our study highlights that not being able to process alcohol effectively can lead to an even higher risk of alcohol-related DNA damage and therefore certain cancers,” said Patel.

It may be a contributor to an “extremely high prevalence” of throat cancer in countries such as China, commented Malcolm Alison of the Queen Mary University of London, who was not involved in the study.

Commentators welcomed the paper’s contribution to the knowledge base.

“This is beautiful work, which puts our finger on the molecular basis for the link between alcohol and increased cancer risk and stem cells. Very important,” said Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz of the University of Cambridge.

Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa is an experienced, and committed communication, business, administrative, data and research specialist . His deep knowledge of the intersection between communication, business, data, and journalism are quite profound. His passion for professional excellence remains the guiding principle of his work, and in the course of his career spanning sectors such as administration, tourism, business management, communication and journalism, Hamilton has won key awards. He is a delightful writer, researcher and data analyst. He loves team-work, problem-solving, organizational management, communication strategy, and enjoys travelling. He can be reached at: hamilton_68@yahoo.com

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
Oba Otudeko: EFCC Drops ₦12.3 Billion Fraud Case After FirstHoldco Shares SaleReconsider Travel to Nigeria, Somalia, Libya, Chad, DRC, 7 Others, US Tells Citizens in Latest Travel AdvisoryDrama as Trump Accuses Obama, Biden, Others of Alleged Treason, Vows To Go After themSuper Falcons dethrone South Africa, romp into WAFCON final in MoroccoBig Oil’s Power Couple Heads to GuyanaThe U.S. Has Only The 10th Most Powerful Passport: Here’s What That Means2027: PDP Eyeing Jonathan, Others for Presidential Race, Party Official Reveals$24 Billion Loan: Senate Approves Tinubu's Request, Loan StrategyAlleged N80.2bn Fraud: Court Throws Out Yahaya Bello's Travel Request[VIDEO] Natasha vs Akpabio: Tension as Natasha Denied Access To National Assembly Complex2027: Drama as Davido's Uncle, Gov Adeleke, Osun PDP Endorse TinubuDetails as NNPC Remits N6.69 trn to Federation Account in First Half of 2025Just In! CBN Retains Interest Rate at 27.5% for Third Time in 2025Datti Baba-Ahmed Attends Abure-Led Labour Party NEC Meeting, Vows to Reunite Obi, Otti, OthersJust In! Nigeria’s Economy Surges with 3.13% Growth in Q1 2025, NBS Reports
X whatsapp