Dr. Sanjay Gupta

Let's begin with liver cancer, for example.

There was a study out of Sweden which found that if drinkers don't drink any alcohol, their risk of liver cancer goes down about 6 to 7 percent every year.

So the researchers estimated that it would take about 23 years of abstinence for a former drinker's risk of liver cancer to decline to the level of a never drinker.

I do just want to say that there is a fair amount of uncertainty with these numbers.

So think of these more as ballpark ranges.

It obviously varies individual to individual.

When it comes to head and neck cancer, researchers found that the increased risk of cancer of the larynx and throat caused by alcohol can be reversed.

Five years after abstaining from alcohol, the risk for those cancers fell around 15%.

But again, it would take more than 35 years to reach the same level of risk as a non-drinker.

For esophageal cancer, they found that, like with the other cancers mentioned, the increased risk of esophageal cancer is reversible by quitting, but it would take about 16 years to eliminate the extra risk produced by drinking.

But quitting does produce significant short-term benefits.

The research found that half of the risk reduction I just mentioned happened in the first five years.

Now, again, something to keep in mind, the researchers from the studies I just mentioned, they say that these conclusions are not definitive, and there are still questions that remain about how alcohol-associated cancer risk might play out over time.

So, look, if you play by the book, you shouldn't drink any alcohol, because any amount can increase your risk of cancer.

We know that.

But, you know, we realize for many people, especially in social situations, that may not be desirable.

If you're going to drink, it should be done in moderation and not frequently.

According to the CDC, moderate drinking is two drinks or less per day for men, one drink or less per day for women.

And again, keep in mind, around half the country simply isn't drinking at all.

Alternatives to alcohol, like mocktails, they've become much more widely available, and they may help with cutting back.