Facial Flushing after Drinking Alcohol Indicates Esophageal Cancer Risk
Some people’s faces flush after drinking. In fact, at least one third of East Asians (Japanese, Chinese and Koreans) develop was has been coined “Asian flush” or “Asian glow” because of their tendency to develop facial flushing after consuming just a few alcoholic drinks.
The reason is due to a genetic enzyme deficiency that affects their ability to break down the alcohol they consume. What is not well known is that those individuals who lack this needed enzyme are also at increased risk for esophageal cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer worldwide.
Alcohol is broken down by the body into acetaldehyde which is normally metabolized by an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). Asian drinkers who are missing this enzyme are unable to break down acetaldehyde, which is toxic to the body and accumulates causing facial flushing. Facial flushing can be accompanied by nausea, dizziness, headache and increased heart rate.
Esophageal cancer is more common in other parts of the world than the U.S. but because it is hard to detect, often goes unnoticed until it is too late. Esophageal cancer found early can be removed by an endoscopy procedure. However, if the cancer grows into the deeper tissue and spreads to the lymph nodes then “only about 20% of esophageal cancer patients survive three years after diagnosis” according to a Public Library of Science(PLoS) research article.
Many Asians and health professionals are aware that some people experience this flushing response to alcohol but most are not aware that those individuals are at greater risk of developing esophageal cancer.
It is suggested that physicians ask their Asian patients two screening questions when they perform yearly physicals.
1. Do you have a tendency to develop flushing immediately after drinking a glass of beer?
2. Did you have a tendency to develop flushing after drinking a glass of beer the first year or two after you started drinking?
The second question is important because some people have built up a tolerance to the facial flushing effect. A ‘yes’ to either question indicates a strong likelihood, as high as a 90% accuracy, of being ALDH2 deficient.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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My first reaction when I read the title to your article was "Oh my god! My cheeks have flushed!" Then I remembered that I already tend to have rosy cheeks and the one time I'm thinking about was at a hot, crowded night club.
Thank you for the informative article. The next time I have a drink (who knows when that'll be) I'll make sure it's not in a hot place and feel my cheeks to see if they start flushing up.
Thanks again!
January 28, 2010 - 6:27amThis Comment
"Deal" model takes IntelliSHOT™ Challenge for Asian flush, hangover
Yoi Tanabe is a Los Angeles based model you may have seen on NBC's Deal or No Deal. She also suffers from Asian flush, a condition affecting roughly half of all Asian drinkers that turns her face and neck beet red after just a sip of alcohol.
Ms. Tanabe joined a group of young people to test Cheerz® IntelliSHOT™, a new functional shot/mixer that helps prevent morning after headache, nausea, muscle pain and other 'hangover' effects by helping the body to naturally process alcohol toxicity.
"The Cheerz Challenge" was filmed at the Hard Rock Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Watch as Yoi and her friends enjoy a night of partying in the Hangover Capital of the World, and see the astounding results for yourself. [WATCH VIDEO]:
http://www.cheerzhangover.com/asianflush/
February 20, 2010 - 6:22pm