Cancer patients often binge drink, even during chemo: study

Cancer patients have a difficult journey and often find it hard to cope with the physical and emotional impact of their diagnosis.

A new study reveals that a surprising number of cancer patients turn to alcohol to such a degree that they’re considered binge drinkers.

“It is so difficult to hear of and live with a cancer diagnosis. There are feelings of isolation and fear, and alcohol can help dull those feelings,” Dr. Marleen I. Meyers, an oncologist at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, told The Post.

“The stress of treatment and inadequate pain management can cause sleep troubles, extreme fatigue and feelings of loneliness and social isolation,” Meyers added. “All of these can be risk factors for substance abuse.” 

The researchers, who published their results in JAMA Network Open, contacted people undergoing cancer treatment and cancer survivors via the All of Us Research Program, a large and diverse group of US patients.

Of almost 15,200 cancer survivors surveyed, 78% (11,815) were current drinkers of alcohol. Of those current drinkers, 24% (2,812) were found to be binge drinkers.

Additionally, 38% (4,527) drank alcohol to a degree considered hazardous, based on a standardized test, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption.

Memories of a ‘pre-cancer life’

Cancer survivors who use alcohol may do so to deal with the emotional turmoil caused by cancer treatment and survivorship.

“Survivors are often asked to adhere to restrictions in many things during and after treatment, and alcohol use may afford them a sense of control and evoke memories of their pre-cancer life,” said Meyers.

The study revealed that some people are more likely to abuse alcohol than others: “Among current drinkers, men, Hispanic individuals, those with cancer diagnosed before 18 years of age and smokers are more likely to engage in risky drinking behaviors,” the study authors wrote.

“We know that younger survivors are more likely to drink,” Meyers added. “It is important to note that people with a history of substance abuse will [also] be at greater risk of alcohol abuse.”

Alcohol’s link to cancer

Alcohol use is a significant concern to cancer specialists because it’s a known contributor to breast, colon and rectum, head and neck, esophagus, larynx and liver cancer.

Previous studies have found that alcohol use has been linked to “higher risks of recurrence or onset of new primary cancers as well as death,” the authors wrote.

So the researchers also examined the drinking habits of people with alcohol-related cancers, and indeed, survivors who had been diagnosed with those types of cancer were 16% more likely to be current drinkers than people with other types of cancer.

Alcohol isn’t the only substance that cancer patients and survivors are likely to abuse: “Cancer pain is often treated with opioids that can lead to dependency if not properly used,” Meyers said.

“In addition, there can be misuse of marijuana, including medical marijuana, as well as benzodiazepines that may be used to self-treat anxiety. All of these substances may be used to cope with a cancer diagnosis and psychological distress,” Meyers added.

Alcohol’s effect on treatments

The results were particularly troubling because alcohol use can cause setbacks during diffeent cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

Alcohol and illicit drug use after surgery, for example, comes with an increased risk of surgical complications, longer hospitalizations, more surgical procedures, longer recovery times and a higher risk of death, according to the study.

“These substances can interfere with treatment by interfering with metabolism of certain drugs that may make them less effective or more toxic,” Meyers said.

“In addition, pain medications and anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed without the practitioner being aware of the survivor’s substance abuse, and this can increase the effects of these drugs and cause impairment.

“Impairment from substance abuse may make patients less aware of certain symptoms such as fever that may be life-threatening,” Meyers added.

Doctor-patient communication is key

Meyers and other medical experts agree that both doctors and patients share responsibility when it comes to managing alcohol use during and after cancer treatment.

“It is important for patients to be honest with their providers, and for providers to ask about substance use in a non-judgmental way,” Meyers said.

“Education about the effects of alcohol, that there is no established ‘safe’ amount of alcohol during or after treatment, and its relation to cancer risk and poorer outcomes should be addressed,” Meyers added.

“Taken together, our findings point to the immediate and unmet need to intervene on the behalf of individuals with risky drinking behaviors in oncologic care settings,” the study authors wrote.

“Given that drinking is deeply ingrained in societal norms and rituals, and considering the limited awareness of how alcohol consumption is associated with cancer outcomes, it is imperative to provide support to patients who are identified as alcohol users and offer them guidance.”