New studies revealed that certain types of skin cancer like basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma are linked to drinking alcohol. In the past, health experts have already highlighted the role of ethanol in DNA damage. The chemical compound will metabolize into acetaldehyde which not only damages the DNA but also prevents its repair.

This new discovery could help reduce the increasing number of skin cancer in the world. Researchers from Brown University consider alcohol as a preventable and modifiable risk factor.

Link between alcohol and skin cancer

The researchers looked into 13 different studies that analyze 95,241 non-melanoma cases. They found out that for every 10 grams of alcohol a day – that’s more than half of a standard wine glass -, the risk of developing basal cell carcinoma increases by seven percent while cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma increases by 11 percent. The risk gets higher to 13 percent by drinking white wine. A pint of beer is said to contain around eight grams of alcohol.

Dr. Eunyoung Cho, the lead author of the study, believes that their finding is very important as there are only a few ways to prevent skin cancer. Sometimes, treatment of the life-threatening condition is even delayed as the wrong diagnosis happens 40 percent of the time according to Daily Mail.

Melanoma, the deadliest among all types of skin cancer, is the most poorly judged. This wrong verdict puts the patient’s life at risk. Drinking a glass and a half of glass of wine also increases the risk of developing melanoma by up to 73 percent.

Benefits of giving up alcohol

Alex McKinnon used to drink alcohol for several reasons like being at ease on social gatherings, taking the edge off his work days or simply just to enjoy his day.

When he decided to quit drinking, he found out that he lost 11 pounds even without doing any form of exercise or diet. He also boasts that his skin is clearer when he became alcohol-free,

Battling with depression, he found that he does not need alcohol to have a better sleep. In fact, the number of bad days became rarer and he found it easier to handle.

As mentioned, one of the reasons why McKinnon drinks is that he wants to feel at ease during social gatherings. But without alcohol, he was forced to face his anxiety and it even made him a better listener in the end. In the past, the writer spends around $135 a month for an average of 30 drinks. That said, he was able to save $1,600 for the year for not drinking alcohol.
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