To drink or not to drink

vchildbeloved
vchildbeloved Member Posts: 133
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello everyone. I know that this is not as serious as most of our situations. Just wondering if anyone still has that occasional glass of wine. I am not a big drinker, but sometimes just want to unwind with a glass. Got scared to death from having just one glass when I read a study the other day that was done in Britain on women which said that, "just one glass a wine a day increases our chances of several cancers." Wondering if you read it and what you think.

Comments

  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #2
    Well...
    I used to be a social drinker, maybe a few beers on the weekend, or some wine, but no liquor, not much into the harder stuff, I think there's alot of things that can cause cancer, not sure if alcohol can, but I do know it's not good for the liver, and can cause
    Cirrhosis of the liver, which I had an alcoholic aunt who died of that disease. Because I now have tumors in my liver, I don't drink, but I choose not too, because I don't want to damage it more by adding to it. I don't think an occasional drink is bad, but I just don't want to tempt fate, and have not had a drink since diagnosis, but I never was a big drinker.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    'Responsibly' is the key....
    Actually, I'll match that study against another...that says that the occasional glass of red wine REDUCES the occurance of colon cancer...lol...and most people's ability to say 'NO!"...

    I still have the once in a while glass...I was never a real drinker, anyway. That was proven when, at my birthday party in Holland, I got tipsy on a small glass of dutch gin...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #4
    KathiM said:

    'Responsibly' is the key....
    Actually, I'll match that study against another...that says that the occasional glass of red wine REDUCES the occurance of colon cancer...lol...and most people's ability to say 'NO!"...

    I still have the once in a while glass...I was never a real drinker, anyway. That was proven when, at my birthday party in Holland, I got tipsy on a small glass of dutch gin...

    Hugs, Kathi

    BUT
    I also seen shows and read that red wine was good for you, just like dark chocolate :)
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #5
    Every known Chemotherapy
    Every known Chemotherapy formula is a known carcinogenic,
    and you're worrying about having a drink?

    Good grief, get plastered, you owe it to yourself.

    Chemo drugs, and every pharmaceutical on the market, puts a major
    strain on your liver in it's process to take the toxins out.

    Sure, alcohol will add to the liver's woes, but the damage from alcohol
    is minor, compared to the rest of the drugs they impose in the effort
    to "fight cancer".

    Have fun, and stop worrying about "damage"; it's too late to
    worry about the small *^%#. Enjoy life while you can.


    (stay non-sober)



    (hic)
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #6
    John23 said:

    Every known Chemotherapy
    Every known Chemotherapy formula is a known carcinogenic,
    and you're worrying about having a drink?

    Good grief, get plastered, you owe it to yourself.

    Chemo drugs, and every pharmaceutical on the market, puts a major
    strain on your liver in it's process to take the toxins out.

    Sure, alcohol will add to the liver's woes, but the damage from alcohol
    is minor, compared to the rest of the drugs they impose in the effort
    to "fight cancer".

    Have fun, and stop worrying about "damage"; it's too late to
    worry about the small *^%#. Enjoy life while you can.


    (stay non-sober)



    (hic)

    Nana B just posted this, and I quote
    "While waiting at the ONC office last week, I read the even one glass of alcholic beverage interferes with your nerves, making your neuropathy worse. They do not advice that you drink alhoholic beverages if you are having problems with neuropathy, even a glaa of wine."



    A thread on Colon Club bothered me. A discussion mentioned wine and other drinks and a number of people said 'Cancer or not, I won't give up my wine (or insert drink of choice).' That bothered me. Some implied they would not have chosen to NOT drink even if they knew they could have prevented cc by not doing so. Others basically said they won't give it up even if it were to be proven to shorten their life! To each his own, but I'd choose health.
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #7
    How much?
    Without knowing how much increase is caused by how much wine, I think it is impossible to judge whether to drink or not. If the increase is small relative to the chance of an asteroid collision destroying all life on earth, then lift your glasses!

    --Greg
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #8
    PGLGreg said:

    How much?
    Without knowing how much increase is caused by how much wine, I think it is impossible to judge whether to drink or not. If the increase is small relative to the chance of an asteroid collision destroying all life on earth, then lift your glasses!

    --Greg

    Ask your oncologist
    I would recommend that you ask your oncologist if it is OK to have a glass of wine occaisonally. I think everyone's situation is different. I asked my oncologist (about a month ago) if it is OK for me to have a glass of wine occcaisonally & she said "Yes, just don't drink a whole bottle!". I hadn't had any alcohol for months & am someone who only drinks a glass or two a week normally. Now, with the Ok of my oncologist I do have an occaisonal glass of wine. I don't have it the day before chemo & not for several days afterward, but there is a good week where I feel comfortable to have a glass of wine if I feel like it. I wouldn't do it without the onc OK, & I remember in chemo class the nurse said some people find alcohol tastes bad while on chemo.
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #9
    PGLGreg said:

    How much?
    Without knowing how much increase is caused by how much wine, I think it is impossible to judge whether to drink or not. If the increase is small relative to the chance of an asteroid collision destroying all life on earth, then lift your glasses!

    --Greg

    Ask your oncologist
    I would recommend that you ask your oncologist if it is OK to have a glass of wine occaisonally. I think everyone's situation is different. I asked my oncologist (about a month ago) if it is OK for me to have a glass of wine occcaisonally & she said "Yes, just don't drink a whole bottle!". I hadn't had any alcohol for months & am someone who only drinks a glass or two a week normally. Now, with the Ok of my oncologist I do have an occaisonal glass of wine. I don't have it the day before chemo & not for several days afterward, but there is a good week where I feel comfortable to have a glass of wine if I feel like it. I wouldn't do it without the onc OK, & I remember in chemo class the nurse said some people find alcohol tastes bad while on chemo.
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #10
    AnneCan said:

    Ask your oncologist
    I would recommend that you ask your oncologist if it is OK to have a glass of wine occaisonally. I think everyone's situation is different. I asked my oncologist (about a month ago) if it is OK for me to have a glass of wine occcaisonally & she said "Yes, just don't drink a whole bottle!". I hadn't had any alcohol for months & am someone who only drinks a glass or two a week normally. Now, with the Ok of my oncologist I do have an occaisonal glass of wine. I don't have it the day before chemo & not for several days afterward, but there is a good week where I feel comfortable to have a glass of wine if I feel like it. I wouldn't do it without the onc OK, & I remember in chemo class the nurse said some people find alcohol tastes bad while on chemo.

    internet item on topic
    Might want to check out one page article dated 10/27/09 entitled :"Link Between Alcohol and Cancer explained..." in pub called"Sciencedaily.com"-don't know how to link it to this posting-not too computer-literate but have read a bit about cancer since Dx.....Steve
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #11
    Hot link
    Here's that link for you from colocan. :o)

    From Science Daily CLICK HERE
  • polarprincess
    polarprincess Member Posts: 202
    #12
    dianetavegia said:

    Hot link
    Here's that link for you from colocan. :o)

    From Science Daily CLICK HERE

    hi
    i am not much of a drinker and never have been but i do like to have a small glass of wine a couple times a year but did not want to while on chemo or when my liver enzymes were up, but yesterday i asked my doctor what she thought and she said of course go ahead have a drink once in a while especially if you are feeling stressed because alcohol can relieve that and is much better for you than the cortisone rushing through your body which causes inflammation. She also said you have to at some point stop the cancer from preventing what you enjoy in life..and told me to go on living. My liver enzymes are back to normal now so i think i will have a glass of wine with xmas dinner.
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #13
    polarprincess said:

    hi
    i am not much of a drinker and never have been but i do like to have a small glass of wine a couple times a year but did not want to while on chemo or when my liver enzymes were up, but yesterday i asked my doctor what she thought and she said of course go ahead have a drink once in a while especially if you are feeling stressed because alcohol can relieve that and is much better for you than the cortisone rushing through your body which causes inflammation. She also said you have to at some point stop the cancer from preventing what you enjoy in life..and told me to go on living. My liver enzymes are back to normal now so i think i will have a glass of wine with xmas dinner.

    I took a trip to Grenada Mississippi
    ....and fished all weekend with my buddies. Although I hadn't had a drink since surgery I figured why not...I sat with them, drank with them, and laughed with them, and Im no worse off from it.....You have paid your dues dearly, the choice is yours . I was told however that it takes about 6-9 months for the chemo to get out of your system and to try and hold off for at least the first 4-6 months in which I did. I haven't had a drink since but if I decide to get into the old hot tub and have one....then Im gonna do just that....Clift
  • patsy1954
    patsy1954 Member Posts: 85
    #14
    Drinking
    After my inital surgery for removal of the colon cancer in April I had another minor admission to the hospital for a slight perforation. When I saw my surgical oncologist post discharge she said, "go home relax, have a glass of wine and enjoy." Now since she does liver resections I am assuming that it's OK to have an occaisonal drink. I have since had an occaisonal glass of wine, but tend to prefer not having a drink because it burns the inside of my mouth caused by the chemo.

    Pat
  • shrevebud
    shrevebud Member Posts: 105
    #15
    To drink or not
    Hello V Child:

    I too used to enjoy wine, however I have not had any since mid July. One of the reasons is that the tumors in my liver are growing and my liver enzymes, like bilirubin, are getting out of whack so I'm not risking anymore damage to it. If I'm doing better by Thanksgiving I may have a glass of wine with T'sgiving dinner. Like others who responded to your posting, I'd mention it to my oncologist. Here's to good health and enjoying life. Take care. Roy
  • just4Brooks
    just4Brooks Member Posts: 980 Member
    #16
    Drinking
    I had a cold Carona with a lime the other night. Best beer I ever had. Hey i have cancer. What harm can a cold beer do?
  • dixchi
    dixchi Member Posts: 431
    #17
    just4Brooks said:

    Drinking
    I had a cold Carona with a lime the other night. Best beer I ever had. Hey i have cancer. What harm can a cold beer do?

    News Report
    Bringing this issue back up, I just got an email from the
    Colon Cancer Coalition and Dr. Lenz, who is a notable in
    colon cancer treatment. He is saying there is a connection
    between alcohol and colon cancer.....they don't have it
    quite figured out how it works but enough for me not to
    drink anything alcoholic anymore....had stopped anyway...
    but this only reinforces my decision.

    Barbara

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