Alcohol consumption poses a significant cancer risk, according to the US Surgeon General, who is advocating for clearer health warnings on alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol is linked to roughly 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer-related deaths annually in the United States. Despite this, less than half of Americans are aware of the correlation between alcohol and cancer, says the US Surgeon General. This places alcohol as the third-leading preventable cause of cancer, behind tobacco and obesity, according to Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
A new advisory from Dr. Murthy emphasizes the carcinogenic nature of alcohol, which leads to cellular damage and potential cancer mutations. The risk applies to at least seven types of cancer, notably breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, mouth, throat, and voice box cancers. Murthy highlights that up to 16.4% of US breast cancer cases are attributable to alcohol, with risks increasing even with minimal consumption.
The advisory suggests revising alcoholic beverage labels to better inform the public and reduce alcohol-related cancer cases. This revision would also include updates to alcohol consumption guidelines in light of the cancer risks identified. The Surgeon General calls for enhanced public education on the cancer risks associated with alcohol, aiming to increase awareness among the populace.
The Surgeon General’s advisory underscores the urgent need for heightened public awareness about the cancer risks of alcohol consumption, advocating for informative labeling and educational efforts.
Source: Fox13news