- Alcohol Consumption Ranks as the Third Leading Preventable Cause of Cancer in the United States
WASHINGTON, USA – The U.S. Surgeon General has unveiled a pivotal advisory detailing the significant link between alcohol consumption and heightened cancer risk. This advisory identifies alcohol as the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, trailing only tobacco and obesity, and raises the risk for a minimum of seven cancer types. Despite extensive scientific evidence accumulated over the last four decades, fewer than 50% of Americans acknowledge alcohol as a cancer risk factor.
The advisory presents a series of crucial recommendations aimed at enhancing awareness to diminish alcohol-related cancer occurrences and fatalities. Key among these is the proposal to update the health warning label on alcoholic beverages to reflect the associated cancer risk.
“Alcohol is a well-documented, preventable cause of cancer, resulting in approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths each year in the United States. This is significantly higher than the 13,500 fatalities linked to alcohol-related traffic incidents annually,” said the U.S. Surgeon General. “This advisory outlines actionable steps we can all take to raise awareness regarding alcohol’s cancer risks and reduce harm.”
The advisory confirms the established connection between alcohol consumption and cancer risk across at least seven types of cancer, which include breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, oral cavity, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers, regardless of the type of alcohol consumed, be it beer, wine, or spirits. Notably, 16.4% of total breast cancer cases are attributed to alcohol intake specifically.
In the United States, approximately 100,000 alcohol-related cancer diagnoses and 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths occur each year. The risk of cancer escalates with increased alcohol consumption. For certain cancers, such as breast, mouth, and throat cancers, evidence suggests that even one drink or less per day can heighten the risk of developing cancer. An individual’s susceptibility to cancer from alcohol consumption is influenced by an intricate mix of biological, environmental, social, and economic factors.
The advisory not only advocates for updating the Surgeon General’s health warning label to include cancer risk but also urges a reevaluation of alcohol consumption guidelines to reflect cancer risk more accurately. It prompts individuals to consider the relationship between alcohol intake and increased cancer risk when making decisions about drinking. Furthermore, public health professionals and community organizations are encouraged to spotlight alcohol use as a leading modifiable cancer risk factor and to enhance educational campaigns to boost overall awareness. Healthcare providers are also urged to discuss this critical link in clinical settings, promoting screening and necessary referrals related to alcohol use.
Surgeon General advisories serve as urgent public statements directed at raising awareness about significant public health issues that necessitate immediate attention and action.
As the Nation’s Doctor, the U.S. Surgeon General has previously issued advisories addressing critical issues such as mental health, firearm violence, and the effects of social media on youth.
