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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Your Risk for Oral Cancer Increases When You Drink Alcohol—Here's What You Should Know
Can you still enjoy that cocktail, beer or glass of wine? Here's what the experts say. Reviewed by Dietitian Karen Ansel, M.S., RDNKey Points Alcohol is a carcinogen that increases your risk for oral cancer in multiple ways. It promotes inflammation, damages cells, impairs nutrient absorption and more. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect don't hear about oral cancer very often, but more than 50,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with it every year. Oral cancer doesn't just target the tongue, gums and mouth. It can even extend to the back of the throat. Like other cancers, what we eat and drink can substantially impact our odds of developing oral cancer. And one major risk factor is alcohol, says Carol Sullivan, M.S., RD, CSO, LDN, a board-certified oncology specialist. The link is so strong that alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning that there's a strong body of evidence showing it may cause cancer. So what does that mean for you, especially if you enjoy a glass of wine here and there or love a good cocktail? To find out, we took a deep dive into the research and spoke with experts. Here's what you need to know about alcohol and oral cancer, plus other lifestyle strategies to help you reduce your risk. How Alcohol May Increase the Risk of Oral Cancer Might Lead to Changes in Your Microbiome Your gut microbiome, which is made up of trillions of live bacteria, actually starts in your mouth. And research reveals that alcohol can promote changes in your oral microbiome that increase the risk of gum disease, which is a known trigger for oral cancer. That's not all. Alcohol's adverse impact on the oral microbiome can also raise your risk for other cancers by increasing body-wide inflammation, encouraging tumor growth and suppressing your body's immune response. And as alcohol makes its way from your mouth, down your throat and through your stomach to your intestines, it continually interacts with your GI tract. When it finally reaches your gut, it can cause unfavorable changes in your gut microbiome, too. May Damage Your Cells and DNA 'Alcohol gets broken down into a chemical called acetaldehyde, which is toxic and can damage your DNA, increasing the risk of cancer,' notes Sullivan. Acetaldehyde is so harmful that the National Cancer Institute lists it as a "probable carcinogen.' 'Plus, alcohol itself can help other substances get into your cells more easily,' says Sullivan. That allows other carcinogens and chemicals that come into contact with your mouth and throat to be more easily absorbed, providing yet another route to oral cancer. Can Promote Inflammation We hear a lot about inflammation lately. While short-term inflammation is nothing to worry about, chronic inflammation can lead to all sorts of health issues, including cancer. Drinking alcohol can increase the body's production of inflammation-promoting substances called free radicals. That resulting inflammation goes on to trigger a process called oxidation that can damage your cells' DNA. If this happens on a regular basis, it may set the stage for cancer. May Cause Nutrient Deficiencies A nutrient-rich diet may protect against cancer. Yet, alcohol impacts your ability to digest and absorb many of the very nutrients shown to keep cancer at bay. 'Chronic alcohol use can cause nutrient deficiencies of folate, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which are important for proper DNA synthesis and repair, and act as protective antioxidants,' explains Sullivan. Drinking alcohol also impairs intestinal absorption of many vitamins and some minerals, including iron, zinc and selenium. It may additionally alter fat, protein and carbohydrate absorption. If that weren't trouble enough, alcoholic drinks themselves, whether it's wine, beer, spirits or cocktails, carry very little nutritional value and can sometimes cause loss of appetite. Strategies to Reduce Oral Cancer Risk There is a long list of factors that can raise your risk of oral cancer, says Chad Libraty, D.D.S. Here are the ones to look out for, plus expert tips to help reduce your overall risk. Load up on produce: Not only will adding lots of colorful fruits and vegetables to your plate help you get more nutrients overall. Produce is jammed with nutrients that may also ward off inflammation and support your immune system. In particular, citrus fruits—think grapefruit, oranges and lemons—have been linked to decreased oral cancer risk. This is likely due to their ample vitamin C content. If you use tobacco, seek help quitting: If you smoke or chew tobacco, talk to your healthcare provider about resources to help you quit. Tobacco is linked to roughly 85% of oral cancer cases, as chewing tobacco or smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes delivers a high dose of carcinogens. Second-hand smoke exposure also increases your risk. Also good to know: 'Alcohol added with tobacco use can exponentially increase your oral cancer risk,' says Libraty. Rethink how you cook red meat: A recent review study found that eating lots of red meat is linked to increased oral cancer risk, particularly if it's fried, smoked, roasted or boiled. That's because cooking meat at high temperatures triggers the development of carcinogenic compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). If you do eat red meat, try to lower the cooking temperature as much as possible and keep cooking times short. Wear sunscreen: Your lips are part of your mouth, so be sure to put SPF on. Many lip balms now come with built-in sun protection. To further protect your lips, try to limit time spent in direct sunlight. In addition to seeking out some shade during peak sunlight hours in the afternoon, wear a hat to help shade your face and mouth. Go to the dentist: Practicing good oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing regularly, isn't just important for the health of your teeth. It can promote better oral health. This can minimize the risk of infections and other conditions that may lead to oral cancer. Regular dental check-ups are also critical for keeping up a healthy mouth, as your dentist will check for oral cancer to spot any early signs. If you drink, scale back: You probably figured this one was coming right? 'Alcohol is a known carcinogen, like many other carcinogens the dose is what makes the poison,' says Libraty. Research shows that even light drinkers are almost twice as likely to develop oral cancer as nondrinkers. And heavy drinkers are about five times as likely. If you do imbibe, consider saving that drink for a special occasion. Know your family history: 'If someone had a family history of cancer, minimizing or eliminating alcohol is a great idea,' says Libraty. If oral or any other kind of cancer runs in your family, speak with your healthcare provider to determine how much alcohol is safe for you. Consider an alcohol-free alternative: 'For a lot of people, the ritual of preparing a drink and sitting down to relax or socialize is bigger than the alcohol consumption,' says Sullivan. 'Right now the market for mocktails, zero-proof spirits and non-alcoholic beer and wine is growing.' So, take full advantage! Our Expert Take The link between alcohol and oral cancer may not make headlines, but it's real. Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of oral cancer via several mechanisms. Because alcohol is a carcinogen, it may promote inflammation. With repeated exposure over time, this can potentially lead to cancer-causing changes in the cells of your mouth and throat. Alcohol may also raise oral cancer risk by prompting unfavorable shifts in your microbiome and impairing your ability to absorb protective nutrients. That said, you don't have to panic over the occasional drink. Alcohol's effects are dose-dependent, meaning the more you drink, the more harmful it is. If you do drink, do so in moderation. Or, try swapping your usual cocktail for a mocktail, trade in your craft brew for a non-alcoholic version or just reach for sparkling water over bubbly champagne. Whether you decide to drink less or not at all, cutting back on your alcohol intake can benefit your health in many ways, including reducing your chances of oral cancer. Read the original article on EATINGWELL Solve the daily Crossword
Chicago Tribune
08-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Glenview tentatively OKs 40 new homes for Willow and Pfingsten
Plans for the construction of 40 rental homes at the southwest corner of Willow and Pfingsten Roads in Glenview received preliminary approval from the Village Board this month. Trustees on April 3 voted 6-0 in favor of an ordinance rezoning the long-vacant 8-acre property for residential use and for the development of 20 two-story duplex homes—a total of 40 residences. A second and final vote is expected to take place on April 15. The Village Board's action received applause from a room filled with more than 50 supporters, many of them neighbors of the property, which had been rezoned in 2023 for a commercial development that never materialized. That project, known as Willows Crossing, had generated objections from residents who called for the land to remain residential. At last week's meeting, resident Carol Sullivan said, 'This is the right plan and now is the right time for development at Willow and Pfingsten. This proposal delivers a solution that meets both community needs and development potential.' Glenview trustees also spoke highly of the plan and the engagement of developer Michael Nortman, a Glenview native who grew up in the adjacent neighborhood. Nortman said he met with many of the neighbors and learned there was 'a strong desire for anything other than commercial there.' He acknowledged, however, that he had initially explored constructing the shopping center that had been approved under a different developer in 2023. 'We determined the shopping center plan that was approved was not executable financially,' Nortman said. 'Essentially, it was a mis-designed plan.' The property is located west of Glenview's Plaza del Prado shopping center and north and east of single-family homes. Glenview's 2017 Comprehensive Plan, which contains recommendations for how land throughout the village should be used, identifies the future use for the property at the southwest corner of Willow and Pfingsten as 'low density residential.' Monthly rents for the proposed duplexes were not publicly shared. There are no plans to include units that meet affordable housing standards, Nortman told the Village Board. Like the development of 60 single-family homes approved by the Glenview Village Board in March on the former Scott Foresman campus at 1900 East Lake Avenue, the Residences at Charlie Court, as the proposed Willow and Pfingsten development is called, will be primarily marketed to 'empty nesters' and retirees, according to documents shared by the village. The proposal calls for 27 of the 40 units to contain three bedrooms, and 13 units to contain four bedrooms. Twenty-one of the residences will have the primary bedroom on the first floor, and none of the homes will contain basements. Calculations from both the village and the developer's consultant estimate that the new homes will generate approximately 14 additional elementary school students and three high school students. Glenview School District 30, however, expressed concerns about the potential for additional elementary school-age children and strain on nearby Willowbrook School and its resources. In a March 5 letter to the Glenview New Development Commission, District 30 Superintendent Emily Tammaru wrote, 'The proposed duplexes, with their three-to-four bedroom configurations, are more likely to attract families with children than the 'empty nester' demographic suggested.' Her letter noted that a recent townhome development in Northbrook generated 34 new students, rather than the projected 14. 'An unexpected influx of students could lead to classroom overcrowding, necessitate additional staffing, and potentially trigger costly renovations or even a referendum for funding,' Tammaru continued, suggesting that the village consider a 55-and-over age restriction for the duplex development. Nortman said this is not part of the plan. 'Just because you put an age restriction at 55 doesn't mean they don't have kids,' he said. 'That's not the way the law works and that's not the way age restrictions work.' As required by the village, the developer will pay impact fees to the local schools and park districts. Changes to the fee structure are under consideration, but as they stand now, District 30 will receive a one-time payment of $129,461, Glenbrook High School District 225 will receive $38,675, and the Glenview Park District will receive $221,988, according to information provided by the village. The new development is projected to generate $487,500 in annual property taxes, with $202,440 going to District 30. Still, that district could see a negative net fiscal impact, depending on the number of new students, projections from Teska Associates, the village's fiscal consultant, indicate. While supporting the development, Glenview Trustee Katie Jones said the impact on schools from new residential construction is 'something we need to be concerned about.' 'We continue to have these residential developments come before us and we are approving them in what I consider to be 'silos,'' she said. 'I think it's important we start to look at the community as a whole and look at what is going into our schools. All of these [developments] will affect District 225.'
