Alcohol is the most abused addictive substance in the United States, but not everyone is aware of the risks it carries. One danger is throat cancer, which can develop from drinking alcohol over time.
Understanding the potential link between throat cancer and alcohol will help you protect your health and well-being. This guide explores this connection and shows you how to connect with effective, evidence-based addiction treatment.
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How Are Throat Cancer and Alcohol Linked?
Throat cancer and alcohol are closely linked because alcohol can damage the cells in your throat. When you drink, your body breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde. This chemical can damage your DNA, the material inside your cells that controls growth and function. Damaged DNA can cause cells to grow out of control, potentially leading to cancer.
Alcohol also irritates the lining of your throat. This constant irritation makes it easier for cancer-causing substances – like those found in tobacco, for instance – to enter your body and do more harm. If you smoke and drink alcohol, the risk of throat cancer becomes even higher because alcohol makes your throat more vulnerable to the harmful effects of tobacco.
Even drinking moderate amounts of alcohol can increase your risk of throat cancer. The more you drink, the greater your risk becomes. Over time, the damage adds up, making it more likely that cancer will develop.
Why Does Drinking Alcohol Raise the Risk for Throat Cancer?
Drinking alcohol raises the risk of throat cancer because of how it affects your body. When you drink, your body turns alcohol into acetaldehyde. This toxic chemical can damage the cells in your throat, making them more likely to become cancerous.
Alcohol also makes it harder for your body to repair this damage. Normally, your cells can fix themselves if they get hurt, but alcohol weakens this repair process. Over time, this damage can build up, increasing the chances that cancer will form.
Another reason is that alcohol can dry out and irritate the tissues in your throat. This irritation can cause inflammation, which further increases the risk of cancer. If you also smoke, the combination of alcohol and tobacco makes your throat even more susceptible to harmful changes that can lead to cancer.
Alcohol-Induced Throat Cancer Symptoms
Alcohol-induced throat cancer can cause a variety of symptoms that often start small but can become serious over time. One of the first signs is a sore throat that doesn’t go away, even after trying common remedies. This persistent pain can feel like a constant irritation or dull ache that worsens over time.
Another common symptom is difficulty swallowing. You might feel like something is stuck in your throat or experience pain when you try to eat or drink. As the cancer grows, it can make swallowing more painful and challenging.
You may also notice a change in your voice, such as hoarseness or a rough, scratchy sound that doesn’t improve. This happens because the cancer can affect your vocal cords and make it hard to speak clearly. A lump in your neck is another sign that should not be ignored. This lump can be a swollen lymph node or a tumor, signaling that the cancer is spreading.
Other alcohol and throat cancer symptoms can include ear pain, unexplained weight loss, and a persistent cough. The throat and ears are connected by nerves, meaning that issues in one area can affect the other, potentially causing ear pain. See a doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms, especially if they last for several weeks.
Early detection of throat cancer can make a big difference in treatment and recovery, so paying attention to these signs could be life-saving.
Lesser Known Signs of Throat Cancer
While common signs of throat cancer include a persistent sore throat and difficulty swallowing, other, lesser-known symptoms might be overlooked. One of these is ear ringing, also known as tinnitus. This can happen because of how the nerves in your throat are connected to your ears. Even though your ear may not be infected, the discomfort in your throat can cause ringing or buzzing sounds in one or both ears.
Another lesser-known sign is a feeling of something stuck in your throat, even when there’s nothing there. This sensation, known as globus sensation, can make it feel like you constantly need to clear your throat or swallow, but the feeling doesn’t go away.
Unexpected weight loss can also be a sign of throat cancer. If you’re losing weight without trying, it could be because cancer is making it difficult or painful to eat, leading to a decrease in your food intake.
Finally, bad breath that doesn’t go away, even with good oral hygiene, can also be a symptom. This can occur because of tumors in the throat, which can lead to an unpleasant odor that persists despite brushing and flossing.
If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to a doctor immediately. Catching throat cancer early can make treatment more effective.
Treatment for Throat Cancer
Treating throat cancer depends on how advanced the cancer is and where it’s located. One common treatment is surgery. In some cases, doctors may need to remove the tumor and possibly some nearby tissue to make sure all the cancer is gone. If cancer is more advanced, they might also need to remove parts of the throat, voice box, or lymph nodes.
Radiation therapy is another treatment option. This involves using high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. It’s often used when the cancer is still in its early stages or to shrink a tumor before surgery. Radiation can also be used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is used in more advanced cases, especially if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This treatment uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Sometimes, chemotherapy is combined with radiation therapy to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.
In some cases, targeted therapy might be an option. This treatment uses drugs that specifically target cancer cells without harming normal cells as much. It’s usually used for cancers with specific characteristics, which doctors can identify through testing.
After treatment, rehabilitation may be necessary, especially if surgery affects your ability to speak or swallow. Speech therapy can help you regain these skills, and a nutritionist might assist with dietary changes.
The key to successful treatment is catching the cancer early, so consult a doctor immediately if you notice any symptoms.
Get Insurance-Covered Alcohol Addiction Treatment at California Detox
Alcohol addiction can be extremely aggravating, but it’s also treatable. If you need help getting back on track from alcohol abuse, reach out to California Detox today. We offer inpatient treatment programs at our rehab in Laguna Beach, CA, and we also treat mental health conditions. We work with all major health insurance providers to make sure everyone gets the addiction treatment they need.
When you choose supervised alcohol detox at our luxury rehab, you get 24-hour care and access to medications as you stop using alcohol under close supervision. After a week or so of detox, you will move into an ongoing inpatient program at our beachside facility.
Every alcohol use disorder is different, so all California Detox treatment plans offer personalized therapies, such as:
- Counseling
- MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
- Talk therapy
- Group therapy
- Motivational therapy
- Family therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Aftercare
Get help dealing with alcohol addiction right away by calling 949.694.8305.
