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As the year 2025 begins, many Americans are starting their lives Strive for a healthier year By committing to more exercise, a renewed focus on mental health, a healthier diet, and “Dry January” (i.e. a month without alcohol consumption). Then US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued his latest advice linking alcohol to an increased risk of cancer.
Specifically, the leaflet highlighted increased risks in the mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, breasts (in women), liver, colon and rectum. Cancer among those who consume Any amount of alcohol. Furthermore, the report notes that alcohol consumption leads to 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer-related deaths in the United States each year, making it the third leading preventable cause of cancer after tobacco and obesity.
I think a lot of us have a long one The suspected alcohol wasn't necessarily “good.” For us. But what I think we didn't know – or perhaps didn't want to fully acknowledge – was how bad it could be for our health. In fact, 60% of Americans report that they are not aware of the connection between alcohol and cancer. We hope that this consultation will begin the process of educating the public about this important health-related link.
6 tips to reduce alcohol use and cancer risk after Surgeon General's warning
Since the advisory was published, Americans have raised many questions about what the government might do next, what the findings mean for them, and how they should take these findings into account in their daily lives.
Most Americans were unaware of any connection between alcohol and cancer. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Here's what to know and remember.
How does alcohol cause cancer?
From 30,000 feet away, alcohol damages your DNA, increasing your risk of cancer. This happens through several different mechanisms. For example, our DNA can be damaged by acetaldehyde, a toxic metabolite of alcohol that breaks down in the body, or by oxidative stress caused by alcohol.
Alcohol also changes hormone levels in the body, such as estrogen, which likely explains alcohol's connection to an increased risk of breast cancer. Not only does alcohol directly damage our DNA, it also increases the body's absorption of cancer-causing chemicals, or carcinogens. So, while we may think of a glass of wine or beer as soothing or relaxing to our body, it actually does just the opposite, causing inflammation.
What comes next?
This advice lays the foundation for action – by the government, doctors and our fellow Americans.
Murthy suggests updating the Surgeon General's warning label on alcohol to clearly state the connection between alcohol and cancer. Such a classification change would require an action by Congress, and I believe this should happen quickly on a partisan basis. What is one thing we can all get behind? Reducing cancer among our family, friends and neighbors.
However, this is not a “silver bullet” strategy. While one study that evaluated cigarette warning labels showed that more comprehensive, larger, and graphic labels better communicated the health risks of smoking to the public, another study indicated that they had no actual effect on smoking behavior.
So, if we extrapolate what this might mean for the future impact of the Surgeon General's updated alcohol warning label, the impact could be nominal. Furthermore, it is important to note that this was the result even though the cancer risk is much higher for cigarettes than for alcohol when consumed in similar amounts.
But updating the warning label is the beginning of the education needed to raise public awareness and “acceptance” of doctors, which Murthy also highlights as important “action items.” We must work collaboratively to increase knowledge of the relationship between alcohol and cancer risks, not just in the media but in more personal settings, such as doctors' offices and across our local communities. A targeted strategy is needed to realize the potential of an educational program to reduce alcohol consumption.
Surgeon General Dr Vivek H Murthy has warned that there is a serious link between alcohol and cancer. FILE: Murthy speaks on stage at the Archewell Foundation Parent Summit on October 10, 2023 in New York City. (Brian Bader/Getty Images for the Healthy Minds Project)
Finally, we must always ensure that policies follow the latest science. It's okay not to know, but we need to be clear with the public when that is the case. For example, the current definition of moderate drinking (one or fewer drinks per day for women and two or fewer drinks per day for men (one drink is 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor)) is relative. Arbitrary and used as “scientific” evidence can be misleading and confusing. As Murthy points out, we must reevaluate the definition of “cut.”
What are some of the limits of what we know?
While current research largely shows a link between alcohol consumption and cancer, the details of what we don't know are also important. Evidence shows that the risk of cancer is directly proportional to the amount of alcohol consumed, which means that if you drink more alcohol, your risk of cancer increases. This makes sense – alcohol is a toxin and the more toxins you put into your body, the worse it is for you.
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But is it only quantity that matters? Does the risk vary depending on the “quality” of the alcohol (for example, natural or high-quality wine versus wine with more additives) or the type of alcohol? Is there a “safe” limit? What role does genetics play? Do other preventive measures, such as healthy, clean eating and exercise, “offset” the cancer risk from alcohol use, and if so, by how much?
These questions only highlight some of what we don't know, and it is important to note that they do not distort the central fact that alcohol and cancer are directly linked. But what it does show is that there is more research to be done, especially to reduce some of the bias, or confounding, in the existing data used so far. This ensures that the most complete evidence is available to guide education and policy making.
From 30,000 feet away, alcohol damages your DNA, increasing your risk of cancer.
So, what does all this mean for you?
Murthy should be commended for bringing this information to light at the national level. Information gives you power, and now – after reading this article – I'm confident you can make a more informed decision for yourself about how much alcohol to drink and how often.
From my perspective, I firmly believe that moderation is key, and I will continue to emphasize this as a physician and take this approach in my own life. While many may stop drinking alcohol completely after posting this advice, I urge others to strive to moderate their intake.
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Personally, I would still enjoy a social beer here or a glass of wine there. However, at the same time, I plan to reduce my overall alcohol consumption. It is an individual decision, and as a cancer survivor (Testicular cancer) Myself, I still want to “live my life”.
Ultimately, I challenge all of us to take a step every day to be a little healthier – eat better, drink less, exercise more, and support our mental and spiritual health and well-being.
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The opinions, thoughts and ideas expressed in this article are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of his employers or organizations with which he is affiliated.
