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.

 

 

[saintdomingo]

Thank you very much for that Sheryl, no further need for the thread.

[SAFETY FIRST]

19 hours ago, saintdomingo said:

Mid July 2024 finished radiotherapy (Thai govt hospital) for throat cancer,

I had a girlfriend before Covid, she was recovering from throat cancer. 

We had to visit Chulabhorn hospital for several consecutive days then she spent a few nights in the hospital, I think she had to take radiation tablets. 

 

Was it Chulabhorn hospital you attended? 

 

Anyway,I can remember she got very drunk on a few occasions, silly girl. I haven't seen her in years, I hope she's OK  

 

[saintdomingo]

Yes it was Chula.

[ujayujay]

The doctor knows better than you: It's a beer or wine thing and alcohol is only secondarily important!

[TheFishman1]

If you went through all that throat cancer stuff and radiation launches not think about drinking think about living a healthier lifestyle or at least wait for it to be held completely the last thing I’d be thinking about is having a drink or lighting a cigarette just my two cents TIT

[save the frogs]

what does the title mean exactly? 

not a real problem?

let's face it. alcohol is an addiction.

good luck now managing your addiction with your health issue.

sorry, not trying to be an ahole, but we need to be realistic. 

alcohol is an addiction.

same thing for donuts and why someone who gets treatment for diabetes will not necessarily give up their donuts that easily.

 

May The Force be with you. 

[saintdomingo]

1 hour ago, ujayujay said:

The doctor knows better than you: It's a beer or wine thing and alcohol is only secondarily important!

It was curiosity, why a very small amount of wine is ok but no amount of beer.

Sheryl cleared it up for me.

[saintdomingo]

5 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

what does the title mean exactly? 

not a real problem?

let's face it. alcohol is an addiction.

good luck now managing your addiction with your health issue.

sorry, not trying to be an ahole, but we need to be realistic. 

alcohol is an addiction.

same thing for donuts and why someone who gets treatment for diabetes will not necessarily give up their donuts that easily.

 

May The Force be with you. 

The title means that I was curious why a small amount of wine is ok but no amount of beer. Sheryl read and understood my point and answered my query.

No I do not have an addiction, I have enough problem getting two litres of water a day down my throat for my kiidneys no desire to be throwing ale down it every day.

[saintdomingo]

1 hour ago, TheFishman1 said:

If you went through all that throat cancer stuff and radiation launches not think about drinking think about living a healthier lifestyle or at least wait for it to be held completely the last thing I’d be thinking about is having a drink or lighting a cigarette just my two cents TIT

My lifestyle is as healthy as I can make it at my age, no alcohol for about a year, not smoked for many decades and didn't smoke much then. TIT

[saintdomingo]

Thanks to all for your positive efforts on my behalf, much appreciated.