All Coast Dental

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Alcohol and Oral Cancer

We’re proud to provide oral cancer screenings at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach. Dentistry is an important component of overall health, and dentists are a key part of oral cancer patients’ care team. Recently, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released some new findings about the relationship between oral cancer and alcohol which we want our patients to be aware of.


Alcohol had long been associated with several types of cancers. But it was unclear from past research how much of an issue it presented to the organs along the airways independent of tobacco. After reviewing the research, the ASCO found that alcohol consumption causes about 5% of new cancers each year, including oral cancer cases. It is unclear why—perhaps alcohol damages the lining of the mouth, and there is a risk of DNA being miscopied each time the lining rebuilds. What was clear was that the type of alcohol consumed was irrelevant and that light and moderate drinking also posed a risk, although heavy drinking is the most dangerous. The study also found that, while other types of damage alcohol does to the body may be long-lasting, if a person stops drinking, their risk of contracting cancer along their airways declines to the level of people who never drank.


Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.


 

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