Alcohol is something many people enjoy, but when it comes to healing after cancer treatment, especially when it comes to the lymphatic system, it can cause problems. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and nodes that help your body fight infection and remove waste. After cancer treatment, especially surgeries or chemotherapy, this system can be damaged or weakened. Taking care of it is important for recovery and long-term health. There is growing evidence that alcohol can interfere with how well the lymphatic system works after treatment, and this can affect healing and overall well-being.
When someone goes through cancer treatment, their body goes through a lot. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can all impact the lymphatic system. For example, removing lymph nodes during surgery or the effects of chemotherapy drugs can cause swelling, known as lymphedema, and make it harder for the body to clear out waste and fight infections. Studies have shown that chemotherapy drugs like docetaxel and carboplatin can cause the lymphatic vessels to shrink and lose their normal structure, which means they do not work as well in moving fluid and immune cells around the body. This is especially true with docetaxel, which has been found to have a stronger negative effect on lymphatic health than carboplatin [1].
Alcohol can make these problems worse. When someone drinks alcohol, it can cause inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the body’s way of responding to injury or infection, but too much inflammation can slow down healing and make swelling worse. Alcohol also affects the liver, which plays a key role in filtering toxins and helping the lymphatic system work properly. If the liver is not working well, the lymphatic system can become overloaded, making it harder for the body to recover after treatment [3].
There are also lifestyle factors that can help or hurt lymphatic health after cancer treatment. For example, gentle exercise is recommended to help reduce swelling and keep the lymphatic system moving. However, drinking alcohol, especially close to bedtime, can interfere with sleep and make swelling worse. Poor sleep and increased swelling can both slow down recovery and make it harder for the body to heal [5].
The American Cancer Society recommends that cancer survivors avoid alcohol or limit their intake to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and other health problems. For women, this means no more than one drink per day, and for men, no more than two drinks per day. The more alcohol someone drinks, the higher their risk of cancer coming back and the more likely they are to have problems with their lymphatic system and overall health [3].
In addition to limiting alcohol, there are other things cancer survivors can do to support their lymphatic system. Eating a healthy diet, staying at a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco are all important. These lifestyle choices can help reduce inflammation, support the liver, and improve lymphatic function. For people who have had breast cancer, limiting alcohol is especially important because research consistently shows that drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer and can make lymphatic problems worse [7].
It is also important to listen to healthcare providers and follow their advice for post-treatment care. This might include wearing compression garments, doing lymphatic drainage exercises, and avoiding things that can make swelling worse, like alcohol and caffeine. By taking these steps, cancer survivors can help their lymphatic system heal and reduce the risk of long-term problems [5].
In summary, alcohol can interfere with post-treatment lymphatic care by causing inflammation, affecting liver function, and making swelling worse. Limiting alcohol and following other healthy lifestyle choices can help support the lymphatic system and improve recovery after cancer treatment.
Sources:
[1] Virginia Tech News – Unraveling the secrets of ‘chemo brain’
[3] American Cancer Society – Cancer Recurrence
[5] Lymphedasia – Decongestive Therapy and Sleep in Cancer Lymphedema
[7] Marie Keating Foundation – The Breasts and Lymphatic System
