Alcohol & Other Carcinogens

• What happens when alcohol enters the bloodstream?

  It reaches all parts of the body, including the brain and the liver
• What do large amounts of alcohol affect?

  The nervous system, slowing reactions, reflexes and thought processes. Very large amounts can cause death
• What breaks down alcohol?

  the liver
• What happens over a long period of heavy drinking?

  the liver becomes damaged and the person may have cirrhosis caused by scar tissue in the liver
• What can long-term drinking lead to?

  Liver cancer
• What does long-term alcohol abuse do to the brain?

  Damage it
• What happens if a pregnant woman drinks alcohol?

  It can pass across the placenta to the foetus.
• What affect does alcohol have on a foetus?

  Can cause physical problems such as facial deformities and heart problems.
• What affect does alcohol have on a baby after it is born?

  After birth the baby may have developmental and learning problems. This is called foetal alcohol syndrome
• What are radioactive materials a source of?

  ionising radiation and are carcinogenic
• What does radiation do?

  penetrates the cells and damages the chromosomes, leading to mutations in the DNA
• What are 4 sources of radiation?

  • UV light from the sun
  • Radon gas
  • Medical & dental X-rays
  • Accidents at nuclear power stations
• What is the effect of impaired brain function from alcohol?

  damages the brain and can cause anxiety and depression