Alcohol but not a real problem

[saintdomingo]

Mid July 2024 finished radiotherapy (Thai govt hospital) for throat cancer, tumour gone but throat a bit of a mess. I asked the ENT doc last week as not had a drink for about a year if a beer would be OK now. Absolutely not was the response, a very, very small wine would be OK but not beer. As I keep reading that alcohol is alcohol whatever form it is in I was too surprised to query it.

My throat is still not happy with more than fiddling sips of any liquid. I wasn't thinking of an 8 pint session, just don't  like siting in a bar with water or coffee. I have since had a few cans of Heineken 0.0% which went down alright but not everywhere  keeps it. Any comments about alcohol in wine ok but not beer.

[scubascuba3]

From Deepseek

 

It's generally recommended that throat cancer survivors, especially those who have undergone radiotherapy, **avoid or significantly limit alcohol consumption**. Here’s why:

 

1. Increased Risk of Recurrence**  

Alcohol is a known **carcinogen**, particularly for head and neck cancers. Even moderate drinking can raise the risk of cancer returning or a new cancer developing.

 

2. Radiation Side Effects & Tissue Sensitivity**  

Radiotherapy to the throat can cause **long-term tissue damage**, including dryness, scarring, and sensitivity. Alcohol can **irritate these tissues**, worsening discomfort or pain.

 

3. Interaction with Medications & Healing**  

If still recovering or taking medications (even supplements), alcohol may interfere with healing or cause unwanted side effects.

 

4. Individual Factors Matter**  

- If alcohol was a contributing risk factor (e.g., smoking + drinking), avoiding it entirely is safest.  

- Some survivors tolerate **occasional, small amounts** (e.g., a glass of wine), but this should be discussed with their **oncologist or ENT

specialist**.

[KannikaP]

32 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

From Deepseek

 

It's generally recommended that throat cancer survivors, especially those who have undergone radiotherapy, **avoid or significantly limit alcohol consumption**. Here’s why:

 

1. Increased Risk of Recurrence**  

Alcohol is a known **carcinogen**, particularly for head and neck cancers. Even moderate drinking can raise the risk of cancer returning or a new cancer developing.

 

2. Radiation Side Effects & Tissue Sensitivity**  

Radiotherapy to the throat can cause **long-term tissue damage**, including dryness, scarring, and sensitivity. Alcohol can **irritate these tissues**, worsening discomfort or pain.

 

3. Interaction with Medications & Healing**  

If still recovering or taking medications (even supplements), alcohol may interfere with healing or cause unwanted side effects.

 

4. Individual Factors Matter**  

- If alcohol was a contributing risk factor (e.g., smoking + drinking), avoiding it entirely is safest.  

- Some survivors tolerate **occasional, small amounts** (e.g., a glass of wine), but this should be discussed with their **oncologist or ENT

specialist**.

[saintdomingo]

50 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

From Deepseek

 

It's generally recommended that throat cancer survivors, especially those who have undergone radiotherapy, **avoid or significantly limit alcohol consumption**. Here’s why:

 

1. Increased Risk of Recurrence**  

Alcohol is a known **carcinogen**, particularly for head and neck cancers. Even moderate drinking can raise the risk of cancer returning or a new cancer developing.

 

2. Radiation Side Effects & Tissue Sensitivity**  

Radiotherapy to the throat can cause **long-term tissue damage**, including dryness, scarring, and sensitivity. Alcohol can **irritate these tissues**, worsening discomfort or pain.

 

3. Interaction with Medications & Healing**  

If still recovering or taking medications (even supplements), alcohol may interfere with healing or cause unwanted side effects.

 

4. Individual Factors Matter**  

- If alcohol was a contributing risk factor (e.g., smoking + drinking), avoiding it entirely is safest.  

- Some survivors tolerate **occasional, small amounts** (e.g., a glass of wine), but this should be discussed with their **oncologist or ENT

specialist**.

Thanks for that ss, pity I was never made aware of 1 & 2 before the treatment instead of finding out the hard way, but still...... I had radiotherapy for prostate cancer 16 years ago in London and that was no problem, I was doing permanent nights at the time and it was a bit tiring but the absence of any after effects gave me false expectations 

of no problem with this lot.

[saintdomingo]

And if I may ask one more question ss, is a limited quantity of Heineken 0.0 (abv 0.03%) a problem.? I am thinking of 4 or 5 bottles a week. In fact as I was typing that I was thinking best to keep it to 1 or 2 a week or keep it to none as I did for about a year.