The cancer’s already in your body, if you’re seeing this on your skin

A health expert has issued a warning about an alarming facial symptom that could indicate an increased risk of cancer when consuming alcohol. The symptom is linked to a genetic disorder that results in a deficiency of an enzyme needed to metabolize alcohol safely. Dr. Karan Rajan described this "genetic software glitch". It was explained that approximately 8% of the global population exhibits this mutation, predominantly individuals of East Asian descent. Without the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), the body cannot process alcohol effectively, resulting in a build-up of the toxic substance acetaldehyde in the blood. It is this toxic compound that has been shown to cause a range of adverse effects, including facial flushing, increased heart rate, and other unpleasant sensations after the consumption of alcohol. Dr Raj's position on this matter is that this symptom should be regarded as a serious signal from the body about a possible increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. A study conducted in 2025 corroborates the hypothesis that individuals possessing this genetic mutation are predisposed to a 40-80 times elevated risk of developing esophageal cancer, even in cases of moderate alcohol consumption. Experts emphasise that a reduction in alcohol consumption can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing this dangerous disease.