Double blow to alcohol and oral cancer: common risk factor

In modern societies, drinking has become a common social activity and living habit. However, chronic alcohol consumption is closely related to the occurrence of oral cancer, especially when alcohol consumption is combined with smoking behaviour, the risk of cancer increases significantly. Alcohol not only stimulates oral mucous membranes directly, but may also reduce the immune system ‘ s defence capacity, thus creating conditions for the occurrence of oral cancer. This paper will explore in depth how alcohol consumption can be a risk factor for oral cancer and provide scientific drinking control methods to help people better understand and prevent this health risk.First, we need to know how alcohol affects oral health. Alcohol is a solvent that dissolves protective lipid layers on the surface of the oral mucous membrane, resulting in drying and damage to it. This impairment provides more permeable pathways for carcinogens and increases the likelihood of carcinogenic changes in oral cells. In addition, alcohol contributes to the absorption of certain carcinogenic substances, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco, which are more easily absorbed by oral mucous membranes under the influence of alcohol, thus increasing the risk of cancer.Nor should the inhibition of alcohol on the immune system be overlooked. Long-term drinking leads to reduced immune system functionality and reduced body ability to monitor and remove cancer cells. The immune system is an important defence against disease in the human body, and once its function is impaired, abnormal cells in the mouth may escape from immunization surveillance and evolve into cancer.In addition to direct biological effects, alcohol consumption may indirectly increase the risk of oral cancer. For example, alcohol consumption is often associated with unhealthy lifestyles, such as irregular eating habits, malnutrition and a lack of adequate oral health care. These factors can reduce oral health and increase the risk of cancer.Cancer risks increase significantly when alcohol consumption is combined with smoking behaviour. Smoking is in itself a known risk factor for oral cancer, and alcohol increases the absorption of carcinogenic substances in tobacco while reducing the body ‘ s ability to remove them. Studies have shown that the combined effects of tobacco and alcohol use are synergistic with the increased risk of oral cancer, meaning that the combined effects are much greater than the sum of the separate effects.To prevent the risk of alcohol-related oral cancer, scientific drinking control methods are essential. First, limiting alcohol consumption is key. According to the World Health Organization, men should not drink more than two standard alcohol units per day and women should not have more than one. A standard alcohol unit is equivalent to 10 ml of pure alcohol, approximately 250 ml of beer, 100 ml of wine or 30 ml of alcohol.Second, the choice of low-alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks is also an effective strategy. Such drinks reduce the direct irritation of oral mucous membranes while avoiding alcohol inhibition of the immune system. In addition, alcohol consumption should be avoided in conjunction with smoking in order to reduce the synergistic damage to oral health.Finally, the maintenance of good oral hygiene practices and regular oral examinations are important measures to prevent oral cancer. Good oral health reduces the accumulation of bacteria and carcinogens in the mouth, while regular oral examinations help to detect signs of oral cancer at an early stage, thus increasing the success of treatment.In summary, there is a strong correlation between alcohol consumption and the occurrence of oral cancer, especially when alcohol interacts with smoking, and the risk of cancer increases significantly. By limiting alcohol consumption, choosing low-alcohols, avoiding smoking and maintaining good oral hygiene, we can effectively reduce the risk of oral cancer. Healthy lifestyles and scientific alcohol control methods are essential for the maintenance of oral health and the prevention of oral cancer.