Alcohol?

I was wondering if having a couple of beers twice a month would be bad for me, one who had squamus cell carcinoma.
Had tonsil, two lyphnoids, silva gland and partial part of rear portion of tongue removed, everything looks good and clean now.
Not that am a big drinker but I did like to have a beer once in a while, during the football games.
I have read that no I should not and some say yes you can but wine would be best than beer, so I'm really mixed up on what to do.
So can anyone help me out on this, I would appreciate some answers, thanks RonB

My father has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He is and was an alcoholic his whole life. right or wrong, he still drinks a few beer every day and is still going through treatment. He doctor is aware of it and does not seem to care. so, so be it. you have fought the monster and won, enjoy.

I have read that alcohol can increase your chances of getting breast cancer. However, they say every once in awhile will not hurt you. I've heard a couple times a week is not bad. Everything in moderation is what I got out of it.

xoxo,
Shannon

Hi Ron! You may remember that I corresponded with you last year! I had squamous cell under the back of my tonque and the beginning of the throat! It has been 10 months now and my doctor told me that I had a cure! And--didn't even have any radiation or chemo!

My favorite song was the old German song, "I Like Beer, It Makes Me A Jolly Good Fellow"! But, don't drink now except maybe 1 or 2 times a month when I eat out, mostly with Mexican, Chinese or Pizza!

My surgeon told me that that 1 or 2 beers a day would be alright, but no more! So I only do it with food!

Good to hear your doing alright and enjoying life! Keep it up! Hawaii ought to be a good place to do that.

Dont remember if you smoked or used tobbacco in any way, but if you did, do you still do that?
Sure is hard not to sneak a smoke once in a while.

Will always remember the support that you gave me during my days in the botton of the barrel.
Thanks again!

God Bless You - Dave

Everything I've read says that alcohol AND tobacco are contributing factors. My 35 y/o daughter was diagnosed in May with squamous cell carcinoma on back of her tongue - stage 4.
Chemo doc almost fell off her chair when she found out how much my daughter drank in a week. Lesley then discontinued drinking and smoking. But, her surgeon tells her that she can have a couple of beers a day. I don't agree with that - if both are contributing factors, then avoid both like the plague! I say why risk it since oral cancer seems to be one of the cancers that recurs - usually after 2 or 3 years. If God has been good to you, do the right thing and don't drink. Drink a non-alcoholic beer. My daughter is facing surgery August 19 - she will lose part of the back of her tongue, and the lymph nodes on the left side of her neck. She will have a dissection and surgery is expected to last 10 hours. Skin will be taken from her forearm and put on her tongue, and skin from her stomach will be put on her forearm. I say if you've been given a clean bill of health - a second chance - don't mess up and screw up.
Please let me know how you are doing since it's been a couple of years since your original posting.
thanks and best of luck to you.

Hi David, glad everything turned out for you, and thanks for the advice, I only drink a couple of beers a month, hopefully I'm safe.
Yes things are going great so far, it had been a year on the 30th of June, my last radiation treatment, 4 more to go! Take care and my prayers are always with you, Bless you, Ron

My sister just found out that she has oral cancer & has been told she has to undergo the same treatment as your daughter. Her cancer is under the tongue & they also want to remove the lymph nodes in the neck. Please advise how your daughter is doing after the surgery as this surgery is so radical. Did she have any facial changes & how does she eat properly with the tongue so sore let alone talk! I am anxious to know as I hesitate to let my sister do this surgery, knowing the consequences. I have been doing extensive research on natural remedies & the role foods play. Please offer as much info so I can help my sister decide on what course of action to take. Thanks.

essie

my father has lung cancer. he smokes and drinks often... I wish i could make people stop drinking for ever.... i think antabuse - http://www.drugdelivery.ca/s349-s-ANTABUSE.aspx can be used to curb alcoholism but you don't seem alcoholic and being cancer, i don't think you can use it... my dad would have been using it if he didn't have lung cancer..!:( :( :( i wish i could make him stop... his health and life is at risk... 

Each situation may be different.  Alchohol can affect platelet formation.  I've been in the French habit of drinking two or three glasses of wine per day.  After a few months of chemo (Temidar) my platelets dropped dangerously low and didn't recover.  I have to give up the chemo.  Then I read about the alchohol/platelet connection, spoke with my oncologist, and gave up all alcholol.  It worked.  I've been back on chemo for almost a year.  I have a brain tumor.  I think the key is to just monintor your blood levels.