The United States’ Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has issued a public advisory emphasizing the significant link between alcohol consumption and cancer.
Released Friday, the guidance is based on research identifying alcohol as a contributor to at least seven types of cancer.
According to the advisory, alcohol increases the likelihood of developing cancers of the throat, liver, esophagus, mouth, larynx, colon, and rectum. It further identifies alcohol as the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., following tobacco use and obesity.
“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,” Dr. Murthy stated. “This Advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk and minimize harm.”
How Alcohol Contributes to Cancer
The advisory outlines four primary mechanisms by which alcohol increases cancer risk:
Acetaldehyde Exposure: Alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde, a chemical that can damage DNA and elevate cancer risk.
Oxidative Stress: Alcohol triggers oxidative stress, harming DNA, proteins, and cells while causing inflammation.
Hormonal Changes: Alcohol alters hormone levels, such as estrogen, which has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
The advisory notes that more than 16% of breast cancer cases are associated with alcohol use.
Enhanced Absorption: Alcohol facilitates conditions that allow it to be absorbed more readily, compounding its risks.
The advisory also emphasizes that individual risk is influenced by a combination of biological, environmental, social, and economic factors.
Steps to Mitigate Risk
Dr. Murthy’s recommendations include adding warning labels to alcoholic beverages highlighting the cancer risk and reassessing guidelines on alcohol consumption limits. He encourages individuals to make informed decisions about their alcohol intake and calls on healthcare professionals to educate the public about the risks.
“Too many Americans are living with an outdated assumption that some amount of alcohol is not only harmless, but also good for you,” the advisory warns.
Expert Reactions
Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor at NYU Langone Health, supported the advisory’s findings. “Increasing evidence shows that [alcohol being harmless] isn’t true,” he told Fox News Digital.
Dr. Siegel noted that alcohol, often viewed as a stress-reliever, is a “proven toxin” with clear links to diseases of the liver, heart, and brain. While traditional guidelines suggest moderate drinking—up to one drink daily for women and two for men—Siegel pointed out, “In fact, no amount of alcohol is healthy.”
The pandemic further complicated the issue, with alcohol consumption rising by 25% during periods of heightened stress and isolation.
“The timing of this advisory is right on the mark,” Dr. Siegel added, stressing the need for a public shift in understanding alcohol’s risks.
(FOX NEWS)
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