Alcohol Linked to Cancer: US Surgeon General Issues New Warning

US Surgeon General Warns About Alcohol’s Link to Cancer Risk

US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has issued a new advisory, urging Americans to be aware of the significant cancer risks associated with alcohol consumption. In a statement released Friday, Dr. Murthy highlighted that alcohol is a preventable cause of cancer, responsible for approximately 100,000 cases and 20,000 deaths annually in the United States.

“Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, after tobacco and obesity,” Dr. Murthy said. Despite these statistics, many Americans remain unaware of the connection between alcohol and cancer. Alcohol consumption is linked to at least seven types of cancer: breast, colorectal, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat, and voice box. The risk increases with greater consumption, regardless of the type of alcohol consumed.

The new advisory highlights the growing body of evidence that challenges the previous perception that moderate alcohol consumption—especially red wine—could have health benefits. While alcohol’s potential effects on heart health have been debated, the Surgeon General’s office notes that even moderate drinking can elevate the risk of certain cancers.

For cancers like breast, mouth, and throat, the risk may begin with as little as one drink a day. The Surgeon General’s office emphasizes that an individual’s cancer risk is influenced by various factors, including biology and environmental exposures.

A recent Gallup poll indicates that younger Americans are increasingly aware of alcohol’s health risks. Nearly half of all Americans now believe that drinking one or two drinks a day is bad for health—the highest percentage recorded in the poll’s 23-year history. Younger adults, in particular, were more likely to consider drinking harmful.

In response, the Surgeon General is calling for updated alcohol consumption guidelines that consider the cancer risk, and for greater public awareness of the issue. Dr. Murthy has also recommended updated health warning labels on alcoholic beverages to reflect the cancer risk, though these changes would require approval from Congress.

The Surgeon General has previously issued advisories on other pressing health issues, such as firearm violence, loneliness, social media’s effects on youth mental health, and the mental health of parents. As the conversation around alcohol and health continues to evolve, the Surgeon General’s office is determined to provide the public with the information needed to make informed choices about alcohol consumption.

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