Alcohol after treatment is anybody still drinking?

scottied
scottied Member Posts: 34 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
After I finished my treatment I asked my ENT was there anything I could do to prevent my cancer from coming back, He told me don't drink and don't smoke! Ive never smoked but I did like to drink occasionally. Ive noticed alot of people here say they continue to drink. He told me that smoking and drinking are the top two contributing factors to head and neck cancer and if it were him it just wouldn't be worth the risk. Im taking his advice because I would kick myself in the **** If i did drink and it came back (If it was from the drinking or not I would swear that's what caused it). I was just curious how many people here will continue to smoke or drink after going through this ordeal.

ps: I'm not judging anyone so please don't take it that way, I was just curious!
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Comments

  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    I was never really a big
    I was never really a big drinker, maybe a drink a month or so average. It really burns my tongue now. I tried a sip of wine and it about killed me. I can just about tolerate some bailey's Irish cream and milk with a bit of ice cream in it.

    I get a Fanconi Anemia newsletter and in it was an article by an ENT that said to limit the one drink you may have a year to your birthday. I had four on my birthday.

    I was told by my dentist that he doesn't even want me to use any mouth wash with alcohol in it.

    I will probably have a drink on Christmas. As I said, I didnt drink a lot anyway, but I did like to have wine, or drink a drink at a social gathering. I will probably drink on the holidays. Maybe five times a year? I will definitely need a glass of coping juice for my relatives for Xmas dinner. IMO it's not worth the risk. I wouldn't drink every day, or every week, for that matter. That's just me tho, ymmv.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Beer
    I have an occasional beer.....my ENT didn't say not to, just to be sensible about it.

    Also, as for the alcohol and tobacco reference concernng the top two contributors. I'd say yes to that in years past (at least as for tobacco), but now I would have to include HPV right in that mix. Actually, I've seen several references stating that HPV derived H&N cancer will over take tobacco derived H&N cancers within the next ten years or less.....

    Best,
    John
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    A glass or two of red wine has been shown to be helpful. I'm referencing "Foods to Fight Cancer" by Dr. Beliveau who is/was the leading researcher on the impact of some foods on cancer. I tried a sip of my girlfriend's the other day and all I could taste was the alcohol and it did burn. I probably won't be trying any again until my mouth and throat are ready for it. Cheers!

    Bob
  • MJ70
    MJ70 Member Posts: 75
    scottied/drinking
    In reference to drinking...i do enjoy a couple handcrafted beers ie..ipa or ales....do not drink wine as they all taste like pure alcohol to me..depends on what you think caused your cancer..I think mine was a virus..(hpv) caused..Had a sore throat the two summers before i found out... that were so bad i could barely swallow..Had to take very strong antibodics to get rid of it.. but then who knows...I never thought i drank to much before.. Mel
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    MJ70 said:

    scottied/drinking
    In reference to drinking...i do enjoy a couple handcrafted beers ie..ipa or ales....do not drink wine as they all taste like pure alcohol to me..depends on what you think caused your cancer..I think mine was a virus..(hpv) caused..Had a sore throat the two summers before i found out... that were so bad i could barely swallow..Had to take very strong antibodics to get rid of it.. but then who knows...I never thought i drank to much before.. Mel

    IPA
    As in Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA....;)
  • rush1958
    rush1958 Member Posts: 221 Member
    Drinking After Treatment
    If drinking a glass of beer or wine a day has benefical effects, then I've calculated that I should live to be 7,342 years old based on my previous rate of consumption. That's plus or minus a couple of centuries......

    My ENT told me that alcohol and tobacco were major bad guys in this form of cancer. She said they magnified each other's effects. She also told me that giving up those two vices would immediately start to improve my chances. I believe her! She hasn't steered me astray yet.

    I chewed tobacco for twenty-five years and gave that up a number of years ago. I drank alcohol up until diagnosis, but quit when she said to stop. I haven't had any in close to a year and I don't miss it.

    .....but that's just me, everyone is different....
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    DRINKING??
    My Doc's say the standard "abstinence is the best" but moderation and not abuse is the key. My ENT seems more concerned that I absolutely positively stay away from 2nd hand smoke.

    I am 9 weeks post treatment today, and have not even had a dring since Aug. 4th, 2 days before my surgeries. I used to drink allot socially, I manage a heavy constuction type company and drinking at work related events is pretty prevalent, not to mention the entertainment of customers.With all of that, surprisingly I do not miss it at all. I tried a sip of wine a week ago, and man did it burn. That was unpleasant enough to keep away awhile longer.

    MIKE
  • kingcole42005
    kingcole42005 Member Posts: 178
    Why would someone drink
    Why would someone drink when they are specifically told not to by their doctor? It's like watching my father pickup a cigarette while watching him drown in his own fluids from COPD, or a heart patient eating a cube of butter. Isn't it similar to choosing not to have radiation or chemo, even though you know it could kill you? If you can't give up alcohol and it may cause you to have cancer again, maybe you have a problem and some kind of program will help. I don't know, this is just nuts to me.
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    Social Drinker
    I was more or less a social drinker, but then I was a pretty social guy. Ditto what the Rush-man said: "My ENT told me that alcohol and tobacco were major bad guys in this form of cancer. She said they magnified each other's effects. She also told me that giving up those two vices would immediately start to improve my chances." After all we've been through to beat this thing, why risk it? And besides, my wife would never let me hear the end of it...Cheers

    Jimbo
  • pascotty
    pascotty Member Posts: 174 Member

    Why would someone drink
    Why would someone drink when they are specifically told not to by their doctor? It's like watching my father pickup a cigarette while watching him drown in his own fluids from COPD, or a heart patient eating a cube of butter. Isn't it similar to choosing not to have radiation or chemo, even though you know it could kill you? If you can't give up alcohol and it may cause you to have cancer again, maybe you have a problem and some kind of program will help. I don't know, this is just nuts to me.

    What ever makes you feel good
    Here's my take on this whole deal. People are getting cancer that don't drink and don't smoke. I did both and still enjoy, yes enjoy the occassional ciggy, I don't smoke a pack a day anymore, maybe 2 or 3, even my doc says do what makes you feel good. I felt so miserable knowing that I couldn't smoke anymore and this contributed to my depression earlier on. I am now 8 months post treatment, my goal is to be smoke free by January, and I now believe I can do this from my OWN CHOICE not cancers choice, as for drinking I probably have one or two beers a week and really enjoy them. This is my choice and you have to choose for yourself, but, do it with no regrets, none of us know how long we have got, I am a florist that has to do flowers daily for people who were taken suddenly, without warning, they did not have to sit around pondering how long they have left, and I might add that a lot of these people were fit and healthy and did not abuse their bodies, and under the age of 45. Who knows what actually causes cancer, they say smoking and drinking, so what about the poor soles that have lead relatively healthy lives. I am 44 and had an old mans cancer, go figure..... I am truly responsible for what happens in my own life, and don't feel that any of us need the qualification of other people to help make our choices, be strong, make your decision and live with conviction that it is the right choice for you. My love to you all for a healthy Christmas and many many many many to come. Live your life. xxxxx
  • Irishgypsie
    Irishgypsie Member Posts: 333
    Jimbo55 said:

    Social Drinker
    I was more or less a social drinker, but then I was a pretty social guy. Ditto what the Rush-man said: "My ENT told me that alcohol and tobacco were major bad guys in this form of cancer. She said they magnified each other's effects. She also told me that giving up those two vices would immediately start to improve my chances." After all we've been through to beat this thing, why risk it? And besides, my wife would never let me hear the end of it...Cheers

    Jimbo

    The real question should be is anyone still having oral sex ?
    I haven't chimed in for a while; I was pretty depressed and trying to get my life back! Hell I have even probably broke some records I started dating someone back in Nov. I'm 5 1/2 months out of treatment. I eat what i want anything from a sub, pizza, to chips and nachos. I even can put red hot on my eggs! Yeah I even celebrated with a few beers with friends. New England journal of Medicine article from July stated that HPV is the main cause; Tobacco a definite contributor. My doc said a few glasses of beer aren't going to hurt. Then I asked him about oral sex and he said I wouldn't risk it. I remember that survey someone started way back and I remember John Skiffin asking the taboo question what about number of oral sex partners????? Know one answered!!! That is the number one culprit. If you had oral sex with more than 5 partners in your lifetime your risk goes up 350%!!!! Truth is do they really know! I doubt it; they are just compiling research and they have to be a teetotaler and say don't drink, don't smoke, don't have oral sex. Hell we might as well live in a bubble! If the alcohol was the main culprit than there would be a hell of alot more people with oral cancer!!!

    1. I dink less 1-2 beers on a Friday or Saturday! I don't BINGE like I use too!!
    2. I try to eat more fruits and vegetables!
    3. I take a black mans approach now and don't give oral sex!! (Why do you think HPV 16 cancer is rare in black men??)
    4. reading the china study now. Switching to soy milk and more will follow but it's tough change of life!!!
  • mswijiknyc
    mswijiknyc Member Posts: 421
    Drinking
    As I sit here in the ER with my husband, I read your post. He's been a drinker and a smoker most of his life. We both know this will not end well and beer is all he has left. I'm not going to take that away from him.
  • davidgskinner
    davidgskinner Member Posts: 81
    pascotty said:

    What ever makes you feel good
    Here's my take on this whole deal. People are getting cancer that don't drink and don't smoke. I did both and still enjoy, yes enjoy the occassional ciggy, I don't smoke a pack a day anymore, maybe 2 or 3, even my doc says do what makes you feel good. I felt so miserable knowing that I couldn't smoke anymore and this contributed to my depression earlier on. I am now 8 months post treatment, my goal is to be smoke free by January, and I now believe I can do this from my OWN CHOICE not cancers choice, as for drinking I probably have one or two beers a week and really enjoy them. This is my choice and you have to choose for yourself, but, do it with no regrets, none of us know how long we have got, I am a florist that has to do flowers daily for people who were taken suddenly, without warning, they did not have to sit around pondering how long they have left, and I might add that a lot of these people were fit and healthy and did not abuse their bodies, and under the age of 45. Who knows what actually causes cancer, they say smoking and drinking, so what about the poor soles that have lead relatively healthy lives. I am 44 and had an old mans cancer, go figure..... I am truly responsible for what happens in my own life, and don't feel that any of us need the qualification of other people to help make our choices, be strong, make your decision and live with conviction that it is the right choice for you. My love to you all for a healthy Christmas and many many many many to come. Live your life. xxxxx

    yes...I agree
    While I think it would be dumb to overdo it, being paranoid about alcohol, etc. is unlikely to make much difference to most of us here. I don't drink at all anymore, but I don't drink because I chose not too long before cancer came into my life. Seriously, one or two drinks that YOU decide to have to enjoy yourself with friends once in a while probably will do more for your attitude (which matters a lot) than over-worrying about whether it is going to be the nail in your coffin. Live. Decide for yourself...and don't judge what someone else decides to do. All of us here are more acutely aware of death's proximity than the average person. So in my opinion we should cherish everything that is enjoyable in our lives.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member

    Drinking
    As I sit here in the ER with my husband, I read your post. He's been a drinker and a smoker most of his life. We both know this will not end well and beer is all he has left. I'm not going to take that away from him.

    mswijiknyc
    Wishing you the best with your husband tonight.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228

    The real question should be is anyone still having oral sex ?
    I haven't chimed in for a while; I was pretty depressed and trying to get my life back! Hell I have even probably broke some records I started dating someone back in Nov. I'm 5 1/2 months out of treatment. I eat what i want anything from a sub, pizza, to chips and nachos. I even can put red hot on my eggs! Yeah I even celebrated with a few beers with friends. New England journal of Medicine article from July stated that HPV is the main cause; Tobacco a definite contributor. My doc said a few glasses of beer aren't going to hurt. Then I asked him about oral sex and he said I wouldn't risk it. I remember that survey someone started way back and I remember John Skiffin asking the taboo question what about number of oral sex partners????? Know one answered!!! That is the number one culprit. If you had oral sex with more than 5 partners in your lifetime your risk goes up 350%!!!! Truth is do they really know! I doubt it; they are just compiling research and they have to be a teetotaler and say don't drink, don't smoke, don't have oral sex. Hell we might as well live in a bubble! If the alcohol was the main culprit than there would be a hell of alot more people with oral cancer!!!

    1. I dink less 1-2 beers on a Friday or Saturday! I don't BINGE like I use too!!
    2. I try to eat more fruits and vegetables!
    3. I take a black mans approach now and don't give oral sex!! (Why do you think HPV 16 cancer is rare in black men??)
    4. reading the china study now. Switching to soy milk and more will follow but it's tough change of life!!!

    Ok, am a tad confused
    Ok, am a tad confused because from what I have read Black men are at the highest risk for oral cancer. And I'm not sure how you can make that blanket statement about their sex lives, but ok. Also, just as there are safe ways to have intercourse, there are safe ways to have oral sex.
  • Irishgypsie
    Irishgypsie Member Posts: 333

    Ok, am a tad confused
    Ok, am a tad confused because from what I have read Black men are at the highest risk for oral cancer. And I'm not sure how you can make that blanket statement about their sex lives, but ok. Also, just as there are safe ways to have intercourse, there are safe ways to have oral sex.

    African American men rarely have HPV+16 tumors. Most get cancer in there 5-6th decade like most of the folks on this board! I know that African American men have higher rates of oral cancer but there's is related to smoking and drinking (mainly smoking); I think on average most people who smoke drink, but that's just my opinion!
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228

    African American men rarely have HPV+16 tumors. Most get cancer in there 5-6th decade like most of the folks on this board! I know that African American men have higher rates of oral cancer but there's is related to smoking and drinking (mainly smoking); I think on average most people who smoke drink, but that's just my opinion!

    Yes, I read the paragraph,
    Yes, I read the paragraph, thanks. What I am wondering though is that the link between HPV and HNC has more recently just come to light. So if they weren't testing for that years back then how do we really know?

    I don't claim to have all the answers, so don't get testy with me, please.
  • Irishgypsie
    Irishgypsie Member Posts: 333

    Yes, I read the paragraph,
    Yes, I read the paragraph, thanks. What I am wondering though is that the link between HPV and HNC has more recently just come to light. So if they weren't testing for that years back then how do we really know?

    I don't claim to have all the answers, so don't get testy with me, please.

    I just was stating facts it's oral sex not alcohol in my opinion; didn't mean to offend! Bottom line is I don't think they have a full handle on it yet. However, I want to live my life. I want to be happy again. I was in a very dark place for a while and if I so chose to have a beer and the sky falls then so be it!! Cheers! Happy Holidays!!!
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member

    Yes, I read the paragraph,
    Yes, I read the paragraph, thanks. What I am wondering though is that the link between HPV and HNC has more recently just come to light. So if they weren't testing for that years back then how do we really know?

    I don't claim to have all the answers, so don't get testy with me, please.

    I don't think they really have a handle on it as of yet. As you said, the relationship to H&N an HPV is coming on strong, but it's still relatively unknown and being explored a lot.

    As far as I have found, there is not really a test that can be performed in males for HPV unless they are specifically going through something and it's already became active such as in H&N cancer.

    JG
  • Irishgypsie
    Irishgypsie Member Posts: 333
    Skiffin16 said:

    I don't think they really have a handle on it as of yet. As you said, the relationship to H&N an HPV is coming on strong, but it's still relatively unknown and being explored a lot.

    As far as I have found, there is not really a test that can be performed in males for HPV unless they are specifically going through something and it's already became active such as in H&N cancer.

    JG

    In the end it's all up to you I didn't want to offend!
    I guess that's why I don't right much; sometimes these things get blown out of proportion; also I had stayed away from the board for a while and feeling pretty good; but today after looking at the board and participating it just gets too depressing. We are all in the same boat and it sucks! I was just trying to say I'm more worried about a HPV re-accurence than drinking. As a nurse and a cancer patient I know we aren't going to live forever; but if I only have 1,5,10, or 20years, etc. I want to live life; I don't want to sit home worrying about everything I do or don't put in my mouth. Happy Holidays! God Bless!