Alcohol and Cancer Treatment

Your care team may ask about your alcohol use. Knowing how much you drink can help your care team keep your comfort in mind and plan ahead so that your treatment can work best.
About
​Alcohol affects the body in a number of different ways that can impact your cancer treatment or your ability to tolerate your treatment.

Some treatments have side effects (for example, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, brain fog, confusion, sore mouth) that can be worse if you are drinking alcohol.

Alcohol can cause dehydration – when your body does not have enough water. This may make nausea and vomiting worse.

Chemotherapy and drinking may stress the kidneys and liver. If these organs become too stressed, your chemotherapy may need to be delayed.

Understanding the link between alcohol and cancer

Alcohol can raise the risk of cancer, but one risk alone does not cause cancers. It is a complex process that is different for every person. Environment, genetics, and exposure to radiation or viruses can also play a role. Some people who drink never get cancer, and others who drink do get cancer. People of all ages and lifestyles get cancer.

Recommendations
It is best to avoid alcohol if you can, especially when you first start a new treatment.

If you can’t avoid drinking alcohol, try to cut back as much as you can:
  • Choose a lower alcohol content drink (for example, from whiskey to beer, or vodka to ciders)
  • Try an alcohol-free or minimal-alcohol beer, wine or mocktail
  • Try making every other drink a non-alcoholic one (a glass of wine, then water or mocktail/pop)
  • Have a plan for the timing of your treatments and medicine and when you drink
If you have been drinking regularly, talk to your doctor about stopping. Don’t stop on your own, as there is a risk for seizures and/or other medical problems (depending on how much you drink).

If you stop drinking during cancer treatment, talk to your doctor about when it is safe to drink again.
Support
Having cancer is hard and stressful. You are trying to cope with your cancer and drinking may be one method you use to cope.

At BC Cancer, we are here to provide you with the best possible health care, without judgment. You can talk to the health care team about your alcohol use. It is good to ask for help at any time.

Your health care team is here to support your emotional wellbeing as well as your physical health.
  • Patient and Family Counselling is available at each BC Cancer centre to help people with cancer and their families. You can call them directly, or ask your cancer team to make a referral for you. 
  • Visit Emotional Support for additional supports and resources.
  • You can also reach out to groups yourself:
    • HelpStartsHere (toll-free: 1-800-663-1441): Free, confidential service for people throughout BC needing help with any kind of substance use concern. 
    • Help with Drinking: Includes resources for you and your family.
    • KUU-US Crisis Line​ (toll-free: 1-800-588-8717): this Indigenous-specific resource provides culturally safe help for First Nations and Indigenous people in BC on topics related to mental health and substance use.
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