Alcoholic Drinks Should Carry Cancer Risk Warning Labels, Surgeon General Says
Alcohol Linked to at Least Seven Types of Cancer
Alcoholic drinks should carry cancer risk warning labels, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said in a report Friday. The report cites a direct link between alcohol consumption and at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, liver, and mouth cancer. An estimated 16.4% of total breast cancer cases are linked to drinking alcohol.
Alcohol-Related Cancer Cases and Deaths
There are about 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases and about 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths in the U.S. each year, the report found. Alcohol is the third-leading cause of cancer in the U.S., after tobacco and obesity.
Public Awareness
While research has shown a link between alcohol and cancer, "the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk," Murthy said in a statement. The current health warning label on alcohol products only mentions the risk of birth defects and impaired driving ability.
Can Damage from Alcohol be Reversed?
The new report may be an extra incentive for people doing Dry January or plans to cut back on drinking or quit. The body is able to heal some of alcohol’s adverse effects, experts say. "While some damage can be permanent, some can be reversed," said Dr. Wei Zheng, director of the Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. "Cutting down on drinking will certainly reduce risks in the future."
Moderate Drinking and Cancer Risk
A recent report found that moderate drinking was linked to a lower risk of death, but also raised the risk of breast cancer. Women are particularly susceptible to alcohol’s effects because they process and metabolize it differently than men.
Recommendations
The surgeon general’s report recommends reassessing the guideline limits for alcohol consumption to account for cancer risk. Current dietary guidelines recommend people drink alcohol in moderation, defined as two drinks a day for men and one drink for women.
Conclusion
The addition of cancer warning labels to alcohol products is a step towards increasing public awareness of the risks associated with drinking. While some damage from alcohol may be permanent, reducing consumption can help reduce the risk of cancer and other health problems.
FAQs
Q: What types of cancer are linked to alcohol consumption?
A: At least seven types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, liver, and mouth cancer.
Q: How many alcohol-related cancer cases and deaths are there in the U.S. each year?
A: About 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases and about 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths.
Q: Can damage from alcohol be reversed?
A: Yes, some damage can be reversed, but some may be permanent.
Q: What is the current health warning label on alcohol products?
A: The current label mentions the risk of birth defects and impaired driving ability.
Q: Will the addition of cancer warning labels require congressional authorization?
A: Yes, any change to the beverage labels requires congressional authorization.
