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.

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, saintdomingo said:

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.

I'm no doctor, i just asked Deep Seek AI, download the app and have a go, my guess is no alcohol is ok

[Sheryl]

An unhelpful post has been removed.

 

As this is a medical issue and not related to excessive drinking per se, moving it to main Health Forum.

 

OP, in addition to the issues related to alcohol content (already explained), beer is carbonated and carbonated drinks should be avoided after throat radiation, at least until full healing has taken place. Both the bubbles and the acidity which accompanies carbonation are issues.