Alcool e cancro.

Abstract

After calling attention to the serious problem that alcoholism represents in Portugal, the authors develop some considerations about the role of chronic alcoholism as a risk factor for certain anatomic localizations of cancer, especially of the esophagus. Thus, from this point of view, chronic alcoholism, when integrated in a socioprofessional context of cancer hazard and/or in a spectrum of environmental/dietetic agents which are a potential inducer of carcinogenesis, could exert a promoter or cocarcinogen effect. Finally, the importance of primary prevention is stressed.