By Elizabeth Chimobi
A U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has issued a strong warning about the risks of alcohol consumption, citing new research that links it to seven types of cancer.
In his advisory, Dr. Murthy revealed that most Americans are unaware of these dangers, which contribute to approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 deaths annually in the United States.
Updating warning labels on alcoholic beverages, which have remained unchanged since 1988, would require congressional action.
Dr. Murthy also called for reassessing the recommended limits for alcohol consumption and increasing public education about the connection between alcohol and cancer.
Alcohol ranks as the third most common preventable cause of cancer, following tobacco use and obesity.
According to Dr. Murthy, there is a well-established link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of at least seven cancers including mouth and throat cancer, voice box (larynx) cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, colon and rectal cancer and breast cancer (in women).
The type of alcoholic beverage whether beer, wine, or spirit does not diminish the risk.
Dr. Murthy urged healthcare providers to screen for alcohol use and provide treatment referrals, emphasizing the need for greater public awareness.
He also proposed new warning labels on alcoholic beverages to reflect the risks of cancer.
Currently, U.S. alcohol warning labels focus on risks to pregnant women and impaired driving. However, many countries have taken further steps. Ireland, for example, will become the first nation to mandate cancer-specific warnings on alcohol labels by 2026.
Over the last two decades, the number of countries requiring health warnings on alcohol has risen significantly.
A 2018 WHO report showed that 47 countries now mandate such warnings, up from 31 in 2014. Countries like South Korea and Canada have revised alcohol consumption guidelines based on studies showing no safe level of alcohol intake.
In Canada, the recommended limit was reduced from nearly two drinks per day to just two drinks per week.
In the U.K., guidelines suggest no more than 14 units of alcohol per week—equivalent to about six glasses of wine or six pints of beer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing cancer by introducing harmful chemicals into the body.
These chemicals can interfere with the body’s signals, leading to cancerous cell growth.
Drinking three or more alcoholic beverages daily may further increase the risk of stomach, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.
Reducing alcohol intake can lower your risk of cancer and improve overall health. Here are some tips from the CDC:
1. Set Limits: Decide how many drinks you will have per day or week. For instance, limit yourself to one drink per evening or only drink on weekends.
2. Avoid Triggers: Identify situations, people, or places that encourage excessive drinking and either avoid them or set clear boundaries.
3. Remove Alcohol from Your Environment: Keep your home and frequent spaces alcohol-free to reduce temptation.
Drinking in moderation and adopting healthier lifestyle habits can significantly reduce your risk of cancer and other alcohol-related illnesses.