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After getting a prostate cancer diagnosis, you’ve probably wondered whether a glass of red wine with dinner or a beer with friends is still OK.
Many people are aware that alcohol consumption is linked to cancer risk in general. But the connection between alcohol and prostate cancer may extend beyond risk factors. Research shows that alcohol can affect how well treatments work, influence recovery times, worsen side effects, and even impact your long-term prognosis.
Understanding how alcohol interacts with your condition can help you make informed choices. In this article, we’ll explore six important risks you should discuss with your healthcare team.
Most research focuses on alcohol as a risk factor for developing prostate cancer in the first place. But some studies suggest drinking habits may also influence how long you live after diagnosis.
One 2023 study found that alcohol intake was linked to a higher risk of developing fatal prostate cancer. Evidence on this relationship is mixed, and more research is needed. But it’s clear that heavy drinking and alcohol use may be linked to worse prostate cancer outcomes.
Remember, if you drink alcohol, it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll develop fatal prostate cancer. It’s a potential risk to be aware of, but always discuss any concerns with your healthcare team.
If you’re preparing for surgery to treat prostate cancer, your doctor may recommend avoiding alcohol beforehand. They may also suggest staying alcohol-free during your recovery period. Drinking alcohol during this time may interfere with your body’s natural healing process. Alcohol affects your blood’s ability to form blood clots. For that reason, alcohol may make it difficult for any incisions to heal properly. It also weakens your immune system. This can make it harder for your body to fight off infections. As a result, your body could take longer to recover following surgery.
Some pain medications used during recovery may also be less effective when mixed with alcohol. This includes opioids and over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Always ask your surgical team for specific guidance on when to stop drinking prior to surgery. They’ll also advise you on when it’s safe to resume following your procedure.
Some people get chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy for prostate cancer. If you receive these treatments, your oncologist may recommend avoiding alcohol entirely. According to the American Cancer Society, alcohol can interact with various cancer treatments and cause problems.
Alcohol can interfere with how your body processes certain cancer medications. This may make them less effective or increase side effects. It causes inflammation and puts extra stress on your liver. The liver is your organ responsible for breaking down both alcohol and many cancer drugs. When your liver is working overtime to process alcohol, it may not handle your cancer medications as well.
Many cancer treatments already cause side effects like nausea, fatigue, and mouth sores, and alcohol could worsen these. Some treatments also target the immune system, and excessive drinking may even cause your immune system to weaken over time.
Urinary issues are among the most common side effects of prostate cancer and its treatment options. Problems like frequent urination, difficulty controlling your bladder (incontinence), and urinary tract infections can impact quality of life. Alcohol can make these problems worse.
Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning it makes your body produce more urine. This increases how often you need to use the bathroom and can worsen existing incontinence issues. Alcohol also irritates the bladder lining. This can lead to more frequent urges to urinate and increased discomfort.
Sexual side effects, including erectile dysfunction (ED) and reduced sexual satisfaction, are common with prostate cancer. Alcohol could compound these sexual difficulties in several ways. While some people believe alcohol helps them relax and improves sexual encounters, the opposite might be true.
Alcohol interferes with the signals between your brain and body that help you achieve and maintain an erection. It can decrease sexual desire, reduce sensitivity, and make it harder to reach orgasm. For those already dealing with ED from prostate cancer treatment, adding alcohol to the mix can make sexual function even more challenging.
Alcohol may also interact with erectile dysfunction medications commonly used after prostate cancer treatment. Mixing alcohol with drugs like sildenafil (Viagra) can increase the risk of dizziness, headaches, low blood pressure, and fainting.
Living with prostate cancer takes an emotional toll. Research in the journal Cancers shows that between 16 percent and 30 percent of men with prostate cancer experience depression. Many others may feel anxious about their diagnosis. Some people might reach for an alcoholic beverage to cope with difficult feelings. But alcohol can actually make mental health problems worse over time.
Alcohol changes the chemistry in your brain, affecting the balance of chemicals that regulate mood. While it might provide temporary relief from worry, regular drinking can deepen depression and increase anxiety. This could create a harmful cycle of dependence where you drink to feel better, but the drinking actually makes your mental health worse. This may lead you to drink more.
If you’re experiencing depression or anxiety related to your prostate cancer diagnosis, talk to your healthcare team. They’ll share healthy ways to manage these feelings. Support groups, counseling, and sometimes medication can help with the negative effects of alcohol.
Everyone’s prostate cancer journey is different, and what’s right for one person may not be right for another. Your individual treatment plan, overall health, medications, and stage of cancer all factor into whether drinking alcohol is safe for you.
Don’t hesitate to have an honest conversation with your doctor about your drinking habits and any concerns you have. Remember, your healthcare team isn’t there to judge you. They want to help you make the best decisions for your health and quality of life. If you’re drinking more than you’d like or finding it difficult to cut back on your own, ask about resources that can help.
Keep in mind that making informed choices about alcohol is just one part of taking an active role in your prostate cancer care. The more you understand about how lifestyle factors affect your condition, the better equipped you’ll be to live well with prostate cancer.
On MyProstateCancerTeam, people share their experiences with prostate cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
What have you learned about alcohol’s effects on prostate cancer? Let others know in the comments below.
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