The truth about beer and cancer

[madscientist451]

I'm sitting here watching the NFL playoffs and enjoying a Mad Elf Holliday Ale (11%) and since the game isn't looking all that competitive, my thoughts turn to the recent Surgeon General advisory that drinking alcohol is linked to being diagnosed with cancer.
So I look on google and see what I can find, and its really nothing new, there are all kinds of studies indicating a link between alcohol and cancer. Smoking and drinking together increase the risk of cancer as well as obesity. I've been cutting back the last few years, mostly because of weight gain. And yeah, I realize quitting drinking altogether would be a good thing. FYI my mother is 93 years old, drinks a vodka and soda (maybe 2) and a glass of white wine every single day and she doesn't have cancer. I've read that more than 14 beers a week is excessive drinking, and I'm close to that number, but I'm over 14, more like 20. So yeah, I'm going to cut back, my goal is to hit that 14 beer limit and then go from there. So is anyone else concerned about alcohol and cancer? Is 14 drinks a week a good goal?
Edit: I'm also in decent health, I usually bike or X/C ski about 6 miles a week in addition to other activities, but would be better off if I lost about 20 lbs. 65 years old, don't smoke, eat red meat maybe 2 times a month and try to avoid overly processed food, fried food and carbs.

 

[MaxStout]

I don't know what to think on this. I am concerned but I'm kinda not. I don't doubt the science behind this. I don't smoke or do any recreational drugs. I don't have many vices re cancer risk, aside from alcohol and a love of grilled meat. I suppose I could live longer if I gave up both of those, but I'd rather enjoy the things in life I have, even if it's a bit shorter. I drink about 2 a day, but not every day. A few days maybe 3. So it probably averages out to 14 or so per week, so I'm about borderline.

BTW, my parents lived into their early 90s. Cancer took them both, so technically, it "runs in my family."

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Sometimes the odds are higher to get run over by a bus. I really think worrying about getting cancer is worse than some foods or drink.

None of us really know so we should just try making good choices in life. If it means quitting some things so be it. I enjoy drinking my home brew but if I had to quit I would but not because something might happen.

 

[DonT]

I'm not too concerned... this has been around for a long time. Fist they say "It's bad for you", then it was "It's good for you!"... now it's back to 'You're gonna die!"
I tend to think it's hard alcohol that'll do you in... Also depends on the person, like the OP's Mom still partying at 93! Go Mom!

 

[Skeeter686]

There are so many carcinogens everywhere, it's probably impossible to avoid them all. And the PFAS chemicals are another one that seem ubiquitous.

I generally eat a pretty healthy diet. I need to get back on the wagon with exercising, but that should happen hopefully within a couple weeks. I don't have a desire to take extreme measures, though. Beer is pretty much my only guilty pleasure (I don't really feel guilty about it ), and I don't feel like living an ascetic lifestyle in order to try squeezing a couple more years of old age out of my body. The extra years aren't added to my youth, after all.

Just my personal opinion. I'm not trying to live fast / die young, but I'd like to enjoy it while I have it.

 

[Skeeter686]

I'm not too concerned... this has been around for a long time. Fist they say "It's bad for you", then it was "It's good for you!"... now it's back to 'Your gonna die!"
I tend to think it's hard alcohol that'll do you in... Also depends on the person, like the OP's Mom still partying at 93! Go Mom!

IIRC, coffee caused cancer, then it didn't cause cancer, then it caused cancer again, and now it's got recognized health benefits that include a lower chance of getting Parkinson's.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Everything causes cancer. I choose not to worry about it as stress is bad for you too.

 

[doug293cz]

I don't feel like living an ascetic lifestyle in order to try squeezing a couple more years of old age out of my body. The extra years aren't added to my youth, after all.

This.

Brew on