New study warns doing these two common things together at parties may raise your risk of colon cancer
Topics: Health, Cancer, Colon cancer, Alcohol
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Flashpop
Topics: Health, Cancer, Colon cancer, Alcohol
A new study has found a classic party combo could well raise your risk of developing colon cancer.
While many still assume cancer only impacts the older generation, there's no doubt the disease is also providing deadly consequences for the younger individuals.
Cancer has been on the rise in younger people for the past few years, and much research is going into uncovering why this worrying trend is happening.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in America, with 153,020 being diagnosed with the disease in 2023 and over 52,000 people losing their lives, according to experts.
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Well, new research has found that both alcohol and cigarettes, a common pairing at parties, may increase your risk of developing colon cancer.
Researchers from Germany found 100 cigarettes in a person's lifetime can increase the risk of developing colon cancer by 59 per cent compared to those who don't smoke.
On top of that, the researchers found drinking alcohol every single day, even if it's just one or two drinks, raises your risk of developing early-onset colon cancer by 39 per cent compared to those who don't drink.
"Alcohol consumption and smoking are significant risk factors for EOCRC and should be addressed in the context of prevention," the researchers wrote.
"These results clearly suggest that alcohol consumption is associated with a significantly increased risk of CRC at any age.
"The results on smoking showed a significant association of smoking with EOCRC, while former smoking was not associated with EOCRC."
Bowel Cancer UK have provided advice when it comes to alcohol and smoking and how you can reduce your risk.
They state: "Alcohol is linked to an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, including bowel cancer. Alcohol can damage the cells that line the inside of the bowel, which makes it more likely for cancer to develop.
"To reduce the risk of cancer, it’s best to not drink alcohol.
"If you do drink alcohol, cutting down the amount you drink will reduce your risk. It’s recommended that people drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week and spread it out over the week. Aim to have at least two days without alcohol each week."
Meanwhile, they also touched on how smoking cigarettes can increase your risk of developing colon cancer, as they said: "Smoking increases your risk of developing several cancers, including bowel cancer. People who smoke are more likely to develop polyps (non-cancerous growths) in the bowel which could turn into cancer if they’re not treated."