Teresa, I was told by my ENT here that wine or beer once in a while is OK--and I don't know if my tumor was HPV caused or not though it's in an area where that would be unlikely. I was only ever a pretty light social drinker and a former smoker who had quit for 9 years when diagnosed.

Up until just last week I didn't drink anything because a friend's husband, who was treated at SKCC, was told he should never drink again, although he was only a social drinker too. I figured if people are getting different advice, take the safe route and not drink. And I've ahd such swallowing problmes and my mouth is so sensitive that it wasn't much of an issue. Last week, I tried a little of a dark beer my husband had and it was pretty good (before cancer I loved having a Guiness once in a while) and next time we went out, we split a dark beer. I had about 1/3 of it, he had 2/3. I've also tried a sip or two of wine not too long ago and found that it stings my mouth a little AND just doesn't taste quite the same, so I'm not too tempted by that and I know anything stronger than wine or beer would burn my mouth.

So at this point, beer is really the only temptation and I may allow myself a little bit every now and then because honestly I don't think the data is too clear on whether small amounts of alcohol really are a risk factor.

Nelie