Cancer is not caused by fate alone. In many cases, it is strongly linked to daily lifestyle choices. Among all preventable causes, smoking and alcohol consumption are two of the biggest contributors to cancer worldwide.
According to Dr. Harshvardhan Atreya, a cancer specialist in Lucknow, people often underestimate how deeply smoking and drinking affect the body at a cellular level. These habits don’t just harm one organ — they trigger changes throughout the body that can lead to cancer over time.
This article explains how smoking and alcohol cause cancer, why using them together is especially dangerous, and what you can do to reduce your risk.
How Smoking Causes Cancer
Smoking exposes the body to thousands of harmful chemicals. Many of these chemicals are carcinogens, meaning they are proven to cause cancer.
Direct Damage to DNA
When tobacco smoke enters the body, carcinogenic chemicals damage the DNA inside healthy cells. DNA acts as the instruction manual for cells. Once it is damaged, cells can start growing uncontrollably, forming tumors.
Reduced Ability to Repair Cells
The body has natural systems to repair damaged cells. Smoking weakens these repair mechanisms. Over time, damaged cells survive instead of being destroyed, increasing the chance of cancer development.
Weakened Immune System
Smoking suppresses the immune system, making it harder for the body to detect and destroy abnormal or pre-cancerous cells before they become dangerous.
Cancers Linked to Smoking
Smoking is linked to many cancers, including:
- Lung cancer
- Mouth and throat cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Cervical cancer
Dr. Atreya emphasizes that there is no safe form of smoking, including cigarettes, bidis, hookah, or smokeless tobacco.
How Alcohol Causes Cancer
Many people believe alcohol is safe in small amounts, but medically, alcohol itself is a cancer-causing substance.
Conversion Into a Toxic Chemical
When alcohol is consumed, the body breaks it down into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound. Acetaldehyde damages DNA and prevents cells from repairing themselves properly, creating ideal conditions for cancer.
Chronic Inflammation
Alcohol causes long-term irritation and inflammation in tissues such as the mouth, throat, liver, and digestive tract. Chronic inflammation increases the risk of cancer by continuously damaging cells.
Hormonal Imbalance
Alcohol can increase estrogen levels in the body. Higher estrogen levels are linked to an increased risk of hormone-related cancers, particularly breast cancer in women.
Nutrient Deficiency
Regular alcohol consumption reduces the absorption of essential nutrients like folate and vitamins that help protect DNA. This makes cells more vulnerable to mutations.
Cancers Linked to Alcohol
Alcohol increases the risk of:
- Mouth and throat cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer
Why Smoking and Drinking Together Are Extremely Dangerous
Using both smoking and alcohol together is far more harmful than using either one alone.
Alcohol makes the tissues of the mouth and throat more permeable, allowing tobacco carcinogens to penetrate deeper into cells. At the same time, smoking reduces the body’s ability to break down and remove alcohol toxins.
This dangerous combination multiplies the risk of cancers, especially:
- Oral cancer
- Throat cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Voice box cancer
Dr. Atreya warns that patients who both smoke and drink often develop cancer at a younger age and in more aggressive forms.
Can Quitting Reduce Cancer Risk?
Yes. Stopping smoking and reducing or eliminating alcohol intake significantly lowers cancer risk, even if someone has used them for years.
- After quitting smoking, the body begins repairing DNA damage within months
- Cancer risk continues to decrease every year after quitting
- Reducing alcohol intake lowers inflammation and toxin exposure
The earlier a person quits, the greater the benefit — but quitting at any age improves health outcomes.
Dr. Harshvardhan Atreya’s Key Message
“Smoking and alcohol are among the most preventable causes of cancer. Awareness and early lifestyle changes can save lives. Quitting these habits is one of the most powerful steps a person can take to protect themselves from cancer.”
Key Takeaways
- Smoking introduces carcinogens that directly damage DNA
- Alcohol breaks down into toxic acetaldehyde that promotes cancer
- Smoking and drinking together dramatically increase cancer risk
- There is no completely safe level of smoking or alcohol consumption
- Quitting these habits significantly reduces cancer risk over time
