Hello All,

I've searched the topic Alcohol in the search bar but didn't get s clear enough answer, so I would like to hear your current opinions please. I'm a 22 yr old Male which used to drink about 5-6 times a month (pre-Cancer).. I've asked my ENT and RO and both of them said it is OK to drink on 'special occasions', I mentioned if twice a month is overdrinking as an OC patient and they said that's a little more strict than they would recommend haha. I have 6 weddings coming up this year and I'm also going on Vacation to Cancun. Do you feel that it would be okay to have 3-4 cups of liquor about 4 times a month on average? I know it would be safer to be a teetotaler but I'm too young to not enjoy myself with celebratory drinks! Also I'll be on vacation for 6 nights and 7 days. Can I make it an exception to drink everyday for 6 straight days (note: I'm not an alcoholic) and will be sipping on Liquor. Please tell me what you think.

Something a little more off topic and many may not know about it since it's a fairly knew source of medicating . A couple friends of mine are bud tenders and they've been suggesting that I ingest a Cannabis Extract filled Capsule with either CO2 oil or Rick Simpson Oil. They claim that it will help with side effects such as an Appetite Booster, a Sleep Aid and helps with overall Mood. If I swallow a capsule that has this extract and nothing touches my Oral Cavity, would you consider it safe to ingest in your books?

I know many are dealing with much bigger issues but any experiences and knowledge on these topics would make me a happy camper. Thanks All and have a blessed day!

We do have several threads with varying viewpoints on weather its ok to drink after OC. If I have time later I will look them up and add them to this post.

There is a big difference between beer and hard liquor. since you are only a few months post rads I would be surprised if your mouth was able to tolerate the hard stuff. I was a couple years post rads and took a sip of a pina colada and almost hit the ceiling the rum burned so much. Personally Ive never been much of a drinker so social drinking isnt a big deal to me.

There is a major difference in what you drink. From what I remember of our last threads, wine is the least detrimental, beer is second and the hard liquor (like rum, vodka, bourbon, etc) is the most damaging to sensitive mouth tissue. Even many mouthwashes are high in alcohol and should be avoided being used on a daily basis. Over the years Ive had the pleasure of meeting many OC survivors, many of them enjoy an occasional glass of wine or a beer but they draw the line at the hard stuff. How often is an occasional drink? Its one glass of wine or beer once or twice a month.

For these questions you should also consult your doctor at your next check up. They will know (hopefully) the latest studies about the risks of drinking after OC.

These link may also be helpful. They are from the main OCF pages...

Alcohol as a Cause (main OCF pages)

The Alcohol Connection (main OCF pages)

My belief is if you have to worry something you are doing caused your cancer, you should not do it unless you want to worry. One oncologist told me, if drinking caused your cancer, don't drink, as he chuckled and reminded me unless it is known to be from HPV, smoking and drinking for years is the most likely cause.

As far as your other, in your state, you should be able to try such things, if you wish to deal with pain or increase appetite.

Hi Brandon, congrats on getting through what I'm sure was a very tough treatment. You're a champ!

I struggled with the alcohol question too, and I drank quite a bit more than you did - every night, a couple of glasses of wine or beer, here and there a hard drink. I particularly loved wine and had a small collection.

When I finished treatment my RO told me this: you can have a glass of champagne on your birthday or New Year's, but otherwise don't drink. I'd also consulted an MO of course early on; he was a wine drinker himself and seemed to think it was ok in moderation.

I decided to be cautious. It was a tough decision to make. I really love good wine especially. And a cold beer on a hot day (of which we have a great many here in Los Angeles) was something I practically considered a god-given right!

I do appreciate that you're a young man with what I trust will be a long life ahead of you. I was 55 when diagnosed and I'm 61 now. I haven't had a drop of alcohol in more than 4 years. For the first year or so post-treatement I had that one glass. Then it became unimportant. By now I have no interest.

So on the one hand we have you - a guy who's barely started in on life and who, facing the prospect of not being able to enjoy the occasional drink with friends ever again, finds that prospect scary. I agree. But on the other hand there's me, someone who spent virtually all of his adult life drinking every day and who was suddenly at a relatively advanced age advised not to do it anymore. Which is tougher? A good question!

My RO is very smart and I trust her completely. Every bit of advice she gave me was excellent. So I decided that I preferred breathing to drinking.

As to your other question, I say go for it. My state also permits medical marijuana and I've been using it sparingly for the last nearly a year. It helps me sleep mainly, but I'm sure depending on strain could also help you with appetite. I don't know about those oils, I mainly make myself crackers with peanut butter. In the beginning I tried a vaporizer, reasoning that it wasn't smoke I was taking into my lungs. This may well be true, but I personally found it unpleasant. So I use only edibles. You can grind them or soak them in water if it helps.

Please keep us posted on your progress. All of this stuff is of course only one person's opinion!

All the best to you.

Here are some older threads on the alcohol after OC subject....



Alcohol thread

Alcohol consumption thread

Alcohol After Treatment thread

Alcohol thread by Dave 21 yr old OC survivor

Do you know what caused your cancer? Those with HPV related cancers do know. Those who have drunk and smoked for years - have a good idea. If you are young, and have doubts as to the cause I would say that maybe... because you don't want to face a recurrence, and at this point it would likely be highly painful, or irritating to your mouth... it would be a good idea to refrain. I am not a drinker - at all - I don't understand the need to drink to have a good time. Never have. However, I get that a lot of people feel that way. I think in some cases it's all about perspective. What is more important, living? or drinking? I know it's not that you want to drink all the time, but sometimes what starts off as one becomes more over time.
Bottom line. Think of what you went through and ask yourself... DO I WANT TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN?

I just read that you had three nodes involved.

Were I you - I'd take NO chances. Hugs. and best of luck.

[quote]What is more important, living? or drinking?[/quote]As far as I know the most commonly agreed behavior is to not heavily drink and smoke. There are a number of studies that seem to imply doing both increases the chance of getting cancer. Kind of like stating the obvious.

On the other hand, it does not seem that drinking in moderation increases recurrence among HPV survivors.

No smoking for sure in any form. I prefer quality of life so I'm fine with a bit of drink. I honestly do not feel I am adding risk by any amount more than all the others things I do that put me in more harms way than a few drinks.

By the sounds of it this young man's cancer is non HPV. This is why I said what I did. Hugs... and best of luck.

His sig does explicity say HPV- so I'm with Cheryl on this, Don. The risk for me would be too high and each year that passes is additional risk. Is drinking more important than trying to extend life? That would be the personal question one would have to ask, and then live with worry whether it was safe with each drink.

A bit over a year out from TX I had a really good dark beer and man was it yummy! Since then, I've enjoyed couple now and again while watching the game or with a meal. My team sees no harm and actually mentioned the benefits.

Mind you, I can't tolerate wine anymore nor will I partake in hard libations (EX Whiskey Lover). At going on two years and another NED report, my team says it's safe to say if something is going to take me out, it won't be the original cancer. Heck, I smoked, drank and carried on and while it most certainly was a contributing factor in my cancer, my team believes it was the HPV that got me.

It's a personal choice and one should be informed before making a decision. As for me? I keep some cold ones in the fridge

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"