Can alcohol use increase my father's colon cancer risk?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am concerned about the risk of colon cancer for my father. He is 53 years old. From ages 20 to 49, he was a high-functioning alcoholic, but he has been non alcoholic for the past three years. He also smoked cigarettes moderately during that time.

For about a year now, he has been following a carnivore diet, although he does consume milk and has overnight oats for breakfast each day. He is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds, down from over 200 pounds before starting this diet. He is moderately physically active.

Unfortunately, he has not been getting screenings or blood tests done. He has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and ADHD, which he self-manages by smoking weed. He has experimented with some recreational drugs, but I am not sure which ones. Additionally, he suffers from acid reflux.

On his maternal side, his grandmother had to have polyps removed multiple times, but as far as I know, they were not cancerous. Aside from a couple of cancerous moles, there is no significant cancer history in our family.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Your father is 53, placing him in the average-risk age group for colorectal cancer screening. Current guidelines recommend that screening begin at age 45, even for those without symptoms.

His risk factors include a history of heavy alcohol use and smoking, both of which increase colorectal cancer risk, as well as a long-term high intake of processed and red meat.

Additionally, unexplained weight loss should always be evaluated, and he has a family history of polyps through his grandmother, which slightly raises vigilance but is not considered high-risk.

On the positive side, he engages in physical activity, maintains a normal BMI (body mass index), and is currently non-alcoholic. The most crucial step now is to prioritize screening over speculation.

He should undergo a colonoscopy, which is the preferred method as it can detect and remove precancerous polyps. Additionally, it is advisable to perform basic blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) and liver function tests.

If he experiences reflux, an upper endoscopy may be necessary based on symptoms. Even if he feels well, it is important to remember that colon cancer can be asymptomatic in its early stages, and a colonoscopy can significantly reduce cancer risk by removing polyps before they become malignant.

While he is not classified as high-risk, he is definitely overdue for screening, and encouraging him to proceed with a colonoscopy is the most impactful action you can take.

I hope this information helps with your situation. Please share your valuable feedback to improve patient care, and let me know if you have any further questions.

Thank you.