5 Types of Cancer Linked to Alcohol Consumption

There are many different factors that lead to cancer, from obesity to genetics, but lifestyle factors such as how much alcohol you consume can play a significant part. You may not realize that the beer, wine or spirit you're drinking is considered a health hazard that has been scientifically linked to five types of cancer.

Related: The Best Nonalcoholic Beers to Get You Through Dry January

Scientists are still trying to define how alcohol causes breast cancer. But it seems that alcohol consumption contributes to estrogen production in women who haven't yet undergone menopause, which is necessary for breast cancer to develop. Women who have two drinks a day increase their risk of breast cancer by up to 31% compared to nondrinkers.

Related: How To Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk

If you want to avoid colon cancer, it might be wise to also avoid booze. Alcohol can trigger the creation of polyps, which can lead to cancer. Alcohol can damage colon cell DNA.

Related: Stars Who Have Survived Cancer

It turns out alcohol can make your chances of developing esophageal cancer spike. Drinkers increased their risk of it by seven times, according to a 2009 study by McGill University.

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You've probably heard jokes about how alcohol is hard on your liver, but it turns out booze can cause cancer in the organ too. The link between alcohol and liver cancer has been defined as probable by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund. 

When it burns so good going down, that might be a warning sign. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing mouth and throat cancer and, in addition to altering your DNA and messing with your hormones, can alter the cellular makeup in the mouth and throat.