As a followup to my earlier article on cancer survival rates, I just ran across some interesting findings from the American Association of Cancer Research. It seems that beer (or at least a compound found in beer) might reduce the likelihood of prostate cancer. Then again, alcohol consumption has been linked to increased risk of breast cancer recurrence…
Beer and prostate cancer
First, it seems that a compound known as xanthohumol, which is found in hops, blocks the effects of the male hormone testosterone. Because prostate cancer has been linked to high therefore aiding in the prevention of prostate cancer.
More specifically, xanthohumol is thought to bind directly to the androgen receptor, which otherwise allows a cell to sense the presence of testosterone.
Because some studies have linked high levels of testosterone with an increased incidence of prostate cancer, researchers think that xanthohumol might eventually provide us with a tool for combatting prostate cancer.
Does this mean you should drink beer in the interest of preventing prostate cancer? Probably not, but it’s an interesting finding either way.
Alcohol and breast cancer
In contrast to the above, breast cancer researchers have linked “moderate to heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages” with a 1.3X increase in the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Apparently women who are post-menopausal or overweight are the most susceptible to these effects.
According to one of the researchers:
“Women previously diagnosed with breast cancer should consider limiting their consumption of alcohol to fewer than three drinks per week, especially women who are postmenopausal and overweight or obese.”
The researchers noted that wine was the most popular choice of within their sample of drinkers, followed by liquor, then beer. However, there was an increased risk of recurrence regardless of the type of alcohol consumed.
Source: American Association of Cancer Research (link1, link2)
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