Unveiling the Cancer Risk of Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Location
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
Start Date
4-5-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
4-5-2024 11:30 AM
Poster Number
22
Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor
Manik Ahuja
Faculty Sponsor's Department
Health Sciences
Competition Type
Competitive
Type
Poster Presentation
Presentation Category
Health
Abstract or Artist's Statement
TITLE: Unveiling the Cancer Risk of Excessive Alcohol Consumption AUTHOR INFO: Manik Ahuja Ph.D., MA, Alvarado Álava Tito, MD, Samuel Brook, Dooley Mckenzie, Ukoha Nnenna Ann. Background: Excessive drinking of alcohol is a severe public health concern because it is linked to an increased risk of cancer. Research shows that various types of cancer are more likely to occur in people who drink too much alcohol. About 4% of all cancer cases are caused by excessive alcohol use, with approximately 740,000 cases reported in 2020 alone. Over 30 years ago, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified alcoholic beverages as a Group 1 carcinogen. This indicates the highest level of risk. Despite this, public awareness of the association between alcohol consumption and cancer is low, which is compounded by the rising use of alcohol in various regions. The link between alcohol intake and cancer risk is evident in cases affecting the oral cavity, esophagus, liver, colorectum, and breast. These already constitute a substantial contribution to alcohol-related cancers worldwide. This link seems to be related to the amount of alcohol consumed, with heavy drinking associated with a higher risk of cancer. Healthcare professionals and policymakers have the potential to reduce the risk of cancer and promote healthier behaviors by understanding the link between excessive alcohol consumption and cancer. This study reveals the worrying differences in healthcare access and cancer screening among low-income individuals. According to a recent study, there is a correlation between heightened cancer risks and factors such as depression, low-income status, and past 30-day alcohol use. Interestingly, binge drinking did not have a direct link to cancer outcomes, which highlights the complex nature of alcohol's effects. To reduce the chances of potential adverse effects, it is crucial to design tailored interventions that focus on current alcohol users and individuals struggling with depression. Moreover, it is necessary to make a concerted effort to reduce socioeconomic disparities in cancer prevention and treatment to ensure that everyone has equal access to healthcare resources. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative telephone-based survey of 422,549 adults aged 18 years and above in the United States. We extracted data for non-metropolitan or rural counties. We conducted separate logistic regression analyses to test the association between past 30-day alcohol use, binge drinking, and heavy alcohol use with a lifetime report of cancer. We controlled for and included covariates such as low levels of sleep, income, race, educational attainment, depression, no health insurance, and age in the models. Results: Overall, 5.1% (n=22,583) of our participants reported lifetime cancer. Past 30-day alcohol use (OR=1.17, 95% CI, 1.14,1.20), depression (OR =1.04, 95% CI, 1.01, 1.07), and low-income status (OR=1.06 95% CI, 1.03, 1.10), and age (OR=6.94 95% CI, 6.57, 7.34) were associated with cancer. At the same time, male gender (OR=0.92 95% CI, 0.89, 0.97) reduced the likelihood of cancer. Binge drinking or heavy drinking were not significantly associated with cancer outcomes. Conclusion: This study highlights the disparities faced by low-income individuals when it comes to accessing adequate cancer screening and care. The findings suggest that factors such as past 30-day alcohol use, depression, and low-income status are correlated with heightened cancer risks within a nationally representative sample. Interestingly, heavy alcohol consumption or binge drinking did not exhibit a direct link to cancer outcomes, underscoring the nuanced nature of alcohol's effects. It is crucial to develop tailored interventions that specifically target current alcohol users and individuals dealing with depression to mitigate their susceptibility to potential adverse effects. Additionally, concerted efforts to address socioeconomic disparities in cancer prevention and treatment are necessary to ensure equitable access to healthcare resources.
Unveiling the Cancer Risk of Excessive Alcohol Consumption
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
TITLE: Unveiling the Cancer Risk of Excessive Alcohol Consumption AUTHOR INFO: Manik Ahuja Ph.D., MA, Alvarado Álava Tito, MD, Samuel Brook, Dooley Mckenzie, Ukoha Nnenna Ann. Background: Excessive drinking of alcohol is a severe public health concern because it is linked to an increased risk of cancer. Research shows that various types of cancer are more likely to occur in people who drink too much alcohol. About 4% of all cancer cases are caused by excessive alcohol use, with approximately 740,000 cases reported in 2020 alone. Over 30 years ago, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified alcoholic beverages as a Group 1 carcinogen. This indicates the highest level of risk. Despite this, public awareness of the association between alcohol consumption and cancer is low, which is compounded by the rising use of alcohol in various regions. The link between alcohol intake and cancer risk is evident in cases affecting the oral cavity, esophagus, liver, colorectum, and breast. These already constitute a substantial contribution to alcohol-related cancers worldwide. This link seems to be related to the amount of alcohol consumed, with heavy drinking associated with a higher risk of cancer. Healthcare professionals and policymakers have the potential to reduce the risk of cancer and promote healthier behaviors by understanding the link between excessive alcohol consumption and cancer. This study reveals the worrying differences in healthcare access and cancer screening among low-income individuals. According to a recent study, there is a correlation between heightened cancer risks and factors such as depression, low-income status, and past 30-day alcohol use. Interestingly, binge drinking did not have a direct link to cancer outcomes, which highlights the complex nature of alcohol's effects. To reduce the chances of potential adverse effects, it is crucial to design tailored interventions that focus on current alcohol users and individuals struggling with depression. Moreover, it is necessary to make a concerted effort to reduce socioeconomic disparities in cancer prevention and treatment to ensure that everyone has equal access to healthcare resources. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative telephone-based survey of 422,549 adults aged 18 years and above in the United States. We extracted data for non-metropolitan or rural counties. We conducted separate logistic regression analyses to test the association between past 30-day alcohol use, binge drinking, and heavy alcohol use with a lifetime report of cancer. We controlled for and included covariates such as low levels of sleep, income, race, educational attainment, depression, no health insurance, and age in the models. Results: Overall, 5.1% (n=22,583) of our participants reported lifetime cancer. Past 30-day alcohol use (OR=1.17, 95% CI, 1.14,1.20), depression (OR =1.04, 95% CI, 1.01, 1.07), and low-income status (OR=1.06 95% CI, 1.03, 1.10), and age (OR=6.94 95% CI, 6.57, 7.34) were associated with cancer. At the same time, male gender (OR=0.92 95% CI, 0.89, 0.97) reduced the likelihood of cancer. Binge drinking or heavy drinking were not significantly associated with cancer outcomes. Conclusion: This study highlights the disparities faced by low-income individuals when it comes to accessing adequate cancer screening and care. The findings suggest that factors such as past 30-day alcohol use, depression, and low-income status are correlated with heightened cancer risks within a nationally representative sample. Interestingly, heavy alcohol consumption or binge drinking did not exhibit a direct link to cancer outcomes, underscoring the nuanced nature of alcohol's effects. It is crucial to develop tailored interventions that specifically target current alcohol users and individuals dealing with depression to mitigate their susceptibility to potential adverse effects. Additionally, concerted efforts to address socioeconomic disparities in cancer prevention and treatment are necessary to ensure equitable access to healthcare resources.