The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a new advisory to raise awareness about the link between alcohol and cancer. On Friday, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released a 22-page document that includes several recommendations, one of which suggests adding cancer risk information to the health warning label on alcoholic drinks.
The advisory highlights research from the past 40 years showing a connection between drinking alcohol and a higher risk of cancers, particularly those affecting the breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat, and larynx. Alcohol ranks as the third most significant preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., following tobacco and obesity. However, just 45% of Americans understand that drinking can elevate cancer risk.
A key proposal in the advisory is updating the Surgeon General’s warning label on alcoholic beverages like beer and wine. The current label, unchanged since 1988, only mentions that pregnant women should avoid alcohol, that it impairs driving and operation of machinery, and that it “may cause health problems.” Only Congress has the power to alter the label.
The advisory also suggests revising dietary guidelines for alcohol consumption. Currently, the guidelines recommend a maximum of two drinks per day for men and one for women, but new guidelines are expected this year. It emphasizes that people should consider the link between alcohol and cancer when deciding whether or how much to drink. Public health professionals and community groups are urged to boost education and awareness on this issue.
The advisory outlines how alcohol acts as a carcinogen, a fact recognized since the 1980s. It explains that alcohol is broken down in the body into a chemical called acetaldehyde, which can damage DNA and allow cells to grow uncontrollably, leading to cancer. Additionally, alcohol can cause oxidative stress, harming cells and tissues and possibly leading to cancer. There is also evidence suggesting that alcohol may influence hormone levels, such as estrogen, which could increase breast cancer risk, and that it may help the body absorb other carcinogens, like those from cigarette smoke.
Although there is debate about alcohol’s potential health benefits, especially concerning heart health and red wine, recent studies indicate that even moderate alcohol consumption is linked to increased cancer risk. Experts advise that cutting back on alcohol can lower cancer risk, regardless of the type of alcohol consumed.
