Dr. Maroon received an athletic scholarship to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana where as an undergraduate, he was named a Scholastic All-American in football. Dr. Maroon has successfully maintained his personal athletic interests through participation in 9 marathons and more than 72 Olympic-distance triathlon events. However, his greatest athletic accomplishment is his participation in 8 Ironman triathlons (Hawaii – 1993, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2013; Canada – 1995; New Zealand – 1997; Germany – 2000), where he usually finishes in the top 10 of his age group. Recently, in July 2012 and 2013, he finished second and third, respectively, in his age group in the Muncie, Indiana half Ironman triathlon. In October 2013 he completed his 5th World Championship Ironman in Kona, Hawaii.Increasing Risk of Cancer From Alcohol- Hear Latest Living Well Radio Show
Dec 2024 LIVING WELL Radio Show on WBPV Radio – Link between Alcohol and Cancer and Brain Deterioration.
In a recent broadcast, Dr. Joseph Maroon and Jeff Bost PAC discuss the recently published scientific report that links between the consumption of alcohol to cancer and brain deterioration. See below more information on this subject and also hear the broadcast from their radio show, LIVING WELL.
University of Pennsylvania
Survey of 1,700 U.S. adults in September 2024 on Knowledge of risks of regular alcohol consumption
Results:
- Only 4/6 of Americans realize Alcohol increases their risk of cancer with every beer, cocktail or shot of whiskey.
- More than 50% of adults in the U.S. drink alcohol — 17% binge drink and 6% are heavy drinkers, according to the CDC.
- Binge drinking is 4 or more drinks in 2 hours for women and 5 or more for men.
- Despite public health warnings about the links between drinking and cancer risk, there is a lack of awareness per this nationwide survey.
“Public health messages about the risks associated with drinking alcohol have to overcome the effects of decades of sophisticated marketing and positive media portrayals,” said Patrick Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, which conducted the poll
Per the CDC-
Drinking alcohol raises your risk of getting several kinds of cancer:
- Mouth and throat
- Voice box (larynx)
- Esophagus
- Colon and rectum
- Liver
- Breast (in women)
- Prostate
Drinking 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day increases the risk of stomach and pancreatic cancers. All alcoholic drinks—including red and white wine, beer, and liquor—are linked with cancer.
Why does Alcohol Increase your Risk for Cancer?
- Alcohol is the common term for ethanol or ethyl alcohol
- When you drink alcohol, your body breaks it down into a chemical that damages your DNA.
- DNA is the cell’s controls how a cell grows and does its job.
- When DNA is damaged, a cell can grow out of control and become cancer.
- Studies Show –The more alcohol a person drinks regularly over time—the higher his or her risk of developing an alcohol-associated cancer
Alcohol Brain Effects
- Alcohol can interfere with the body’s ability to create new brain cells.
- Over time, excessive alcohol can cause brain tissue to shrink
- Alcohol can directly damage nerve cells in the brain.
- Alcohol can damage blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to high blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke.
- Alcohol can prevent the body from getting enough thiamine (vitamin B1), which the brain needs to function properly.
- People who drink too much alcohol have a higher risk of repeated head injuries, which can cause lasting brain damage.
- Alcohol lowers serotonin levels in the brain, which can lead to depression.
- Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol dementia, which can include memory problems, amnesia, and lack of muscle coordination.
- Alcohol-induced liver damage can cause increased ammonia levels in the blood, that affects brain cell function, leading to a condition called hepatic encephalopathy