WASHINGTON – The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a public advisory highlighting the connection between drinking alcohol and seven types of cancer. The announcement calls for updated health warning labels on alcoholic beverages and revised guidelines for alcohol consumption.
“Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States – greater than the 13,500 alcohol-associated traffic crash fatalities per year in the U.S. – yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy in a press release.
The advisory outlines several recommendations aimed at addressing the issue:
- Updated Labels: Health warnings on alcohol products should include cancer risks.
- Revised Guidelines: Alcohol consumption guidelines should factor in cancer risk.
- Education Efforts: Public health campaigns should highlight alcohol as a modifiable risk factor for cancer.
- Healthcare Awareness: Providers should inform patients about the risks and promote alcohol screening and treatment referrals.
Research confirms its association with at least seven cancers: breast, colorectal, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat, and voice box. The risk applies to all types of alcohol and increases with greater consumption.
Surgeon General advisories are issued only for urgent public health challenges requiring national attention and action.