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Drinking Causes 80-Fold Cancer Risk for Some

4/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Dr. Karan Rajan raises an alarming alert: facial flushing after drinking could signal an astonishing 80-fold increase in cancer risk, especially for oesophageal cancer. This reaction, affecting around 8% of the global population—predominantly East Asians—stems from a genetic deficiency that causes harmful acetaldehyde to accumulate in the body.

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Story summary

Dr. Karan Rajan raises an alarming alert: facial flushing after drinking could signal an astonishing 80-fold increase in cancer risk, especially for oesophageal cancer. This reaction, affecting around 8% of the global population—predominantly East Asians—stems from a genetic deficiency that causes harmful acetaldehyde to accumulate in the body.