Direct link between alcohol and cancer

The United States’ Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has warned about the direct link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk.

Murthy released an Advisory highlighting that said alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, after tobacco and obesity.

Scientific evidence for this connection has been growing over the past four decades. However, less than half of Americans recognise it as a risk factor for cancer.

The Surgeon General’s Advisory includes a series of recommendations to increase awareness to help minimise alcohol-related cancer cases and deaths.

This includes updating the existing Surgeon General’s health warning label on alcohol-containing beverages.

“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,” he said.

“This Advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk and minimize harm.”

The direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk is well-established for at least seven types of cancer: breast, colorectum, esophagus, liver, mouth (oral cavity), throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx).

The risk exists regardless of the type of alcohol, including beer, wine, and spirits, that is consumed.

For breast cancer specifically, 16.4% of total breast cancer cases are attributable to alcohol consumption.

For certain cancers, like breast, mouth, and throat cancers, evidence shows that the risk of developing cancer may start to increase around one or fewer drinks per day.

An individual’s risk of developing cancer due to alcohol consumption is determined by a complex interaction of biological, environmental, social, and economic factors.

The Advisory calls for a reassessment of the guideline limits for alcohol consumption to account for cancer risk.

It advises individuals to be aware of the relationship between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk when considering whether or how much to drink.

Additionally, public health professionals and community groups should highlight alcohol consumption as a leading modifiable cancer risk factor.