Are you at risk? Doctors reveal the shocking link between alcohol and cancer!
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In a society where a glass of wine at dinner or a beer with friends is commonplace, a sobering report from the US Surgeon General has emerged, prompting a nationwide reflection on the relationship between alcohol and cancer.
As we age with the wealth of life experience and wisdom, we understand the importance of staying informed about health risks, especially as they pertain to lifestyle choices.
So, let's uncork the details of this report and explore what it means for those of us who enjoy a tipple.
The recent report from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has doctors across the nation nodding in agreement.
The report suggests that alcoholic beverages should carry cancer warning labels, a move that many health professionals have long advocated.
The American Medical Association's president, Bruce Scott, has emphasized that alcohol consumption at any level is a modifiable risk factor for cancer.
“For years, the AMA has said that alcohol consumption at any level, not just heavy alcohol use or addictive alcohol use, is a modifiable risk factor for cancer,” Bruce Scott, president of the American Medical Association, said. “And yet, despite decades of compelling evidence of this connection, too many in the public remain unaware of alcohol’s risk.”
In the report, Murthy highlights the evidence that connects alcohol to cancer and provides recommendations to reduce rates of alcohol-related cancers. There was also a proposal to add warning labels on alcoholic drinks.
Six in 10 US adults say that they drink, bur many doctors remark that their patients are not aware that alcohol consumption may lead to cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, liver, breast, and colon.
“We have not done a good job with public health messaging about alcohol in the United States,” said Dr. Rotonya Carr, head of gastroenterology at the University of Washington.
Here’s what medical experts in the US want the people to know.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been clear: there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption.
As alcohol metabolizes, it can damage DNA and proteins, potentially leading to cancer development. It can also affect hormone levels and increase the body's absorption of other carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke.
Paul Gilbert, an associate professor at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, points out that while many people don't abstain from alcohol due to its cultural significance, the safest route for health outcomes, including cancer prevention, is to avoid alcohol altogether.
“The safest thing for all sorts of health outcomes, not just cancer, is no alcohol consumption,” he said.
The health risks linked to drinking are lower if you drink less and higher if you drink more.
A 2020 study discovered that among women, the chances of getting an alcohol-related cancer in one’s lifetime was 17% for those who had less than one drink per week, but 22% for those who consumed two drinks daily.
Meanwhile, for men, the risks were 10% and 13%, respectively. However, the sobering statistics don't end there.
Alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, behind tobacco and obesity. It's estimated to contribute to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and about 20,000 cancer deaths annually.
The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies alcohol as a “Group 1” carcinogen, placing it in the same category as tobacco, asbestos, and radiation.
The question on many minds is whether the damage caused by alcohol can be reversed.
While short-term abstinence can lead to weight loss and improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels, the outlook is less optimistic for cancer risk.
Dr. Rotonya Carr from the University of Washington notes that it may take at least 20 years after stopping drinking for one's risk of liver cancer to match that of a non-drinker.
Source: @drjeremylondon / Tiktok.
“Alcohol does do damage at the cellular level,” she said. “That damage sometimes can be undone, but over a very, very long period of time.”
Dr. Frances Lee, a hepatologist at Mount Sinai in New York, adds that factors such as family history and the extent of DNA damage from binge drinking can influence the potential benefits of reducing alcohol intake.
“For someone who has been binge drinking a lot, there is likely a lot of DNA damage,” she said. “If there’s a history of certain cancers, then perhaps they won’t be able to undo that risk.”
Current U.S. guidelines recommend no more than one drink per day for women and two for men. However, even these limits may pose risks.
A study last year suggested that adhering to these guidelines could prevent about 83% of yearly alcohol-related cancer deaths.
Yet, there's “emerging evidence” that even moderate drinking could increase the overall risk of cancer, heart disease, or death.
With the guidelines due for an update, Murthy's call for reassessment could influence the forthcoming recommendations. An upcoming report from a group within the Department of Health and Human Services will also likely inform the update.
Meanwhile, Canada has taken a firmer stance, stating that no amount of alcohol is healthy.
Source: Good Morning America / Youtube.
For years, some studies have suggested that moderate drinking, particularly of red wine, could have health benefits due to antioxidants.
“There was lots of talk in years past about the benefit, potentially, of red wine. A lot of that has been difficult to validate in further studies,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer for the American Cancer Society.
When it comes to alcohol and cancer risk, the type of beverage—liquor, beer, or wine—is less important than the quantity of alcohol consumed.
Dr. Kenneth Nahum from Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center warns that trendy spiked seltzers and teas might mislead consumers about their alcohol content, leading to unintentional overconsumption.
“They’re drinking it like it’s a soft drink,” he said. “They don’t even realize they’re drinking that much.”
While the Surgeon General's report may not immediately alter drinking habits, it's a step toward better informing the public.
Interestingly, adults under 35 are drinking less than previous generations, possibly due to the availability of other substances like vaping and edibles, as noted by Elizabeth Kovacs from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
However, drinking has increased among those 55 and older, a trend that warrants attention in the older community, as per a 2023 analysis.
Have you or someone you know been affected by alcohol-related health issues? How do you balance the enjoyment of a drink with the potential risks? Share your stories and insights in the comments below!
As we age with the wealth of life experience and wisdom, we understand the importance of staying informed about health risks, especially as they pertain to lifestyle choices.
So, let's uncork the details of this report and explore what it means for those of us who enjoy a tipple.
The recent report from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has doctors across the nation nodding in agreement.
The report suggests that alcoholic beverages should carry cancer warning labels, a move that many health professionals have long advocated.
The American Medical Association's president, Bruce Scott, has emphasized that alcohol consumption at any level is a modifiable risk factor for cancer.
“For years, the AMA has said that alcohol consumption at any level, not just heavy alcohol use or addictive alcohol use, is a modifiable risk factor for cancer,” Bruce Scott, president of the American Medical Association, said. “And yet, despite decades of compelling evidence of this connection, too many in the public remain unaware of alcohol’s risk.”
The US Surgeon General's report highlights the links between alcohol consumption and seven types of cancer and suggests cancer warning labels on alcoholic drinks. Image source: Penny / Pixabay.
In the report, Murthy highlights the evidence that connects alcohol to cancer and provides recommendations to reduce rates of alcohol-related cancers. There was also a proposal to add warning labels on alcoholic drinks.
Six in 10 US adults say that they drink, bur many doctors remark that their patients are not aware that alcohol consumption may lead to cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, liver, breast, and colon.
“We have not done a good job with public health messaging about alcohol in the United States,” said Dr. Rotonya Carr, head of gastroenterology at the University of Washington.
Here’s what medical experts in the US want the people to know.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been clear: there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption.
As alcohol metabolizes, it can damage DNA and proteins, potentially leading to cancer development. It can also affect hormone levels and increase the body's absorption of other carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke.
Paul Gilbert, an associate professor at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, points out that while many people don't abstain from alcohol due to its cultural significance, the safest route for health outcomes, including cancer prevention, is to avoid alcohol altogether.
“The safest thing for all sorts of health outcomes, not just cancer, is no alcohol consumption,” he said.
Many medical professionals are advocating for clearer public communication regarding the established connection between alcohol consumption and cancer risk. Image source: Alexa / Pixabay.
The health risks linked to drinking are lower if you drink less and higher if you drink more.
A 2020 study discovered that among women, the chances of getting an alcohol-related cancer in one’s lifetime was 17% for those who had less than one drink per week, but 22% for those who consumed two drinks daily.
Meanwhile, for men, the risks were 10% and 13%, respectively. However, the sobering statistics don't end there.
Alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, behind tobacco and obesity. It's estimated to contribute to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and about 20,000 cancer deaths annually.
The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies alcohol as a “Group 1” carcinogen, placing it in the same category as tobacco, asbestos, and radiation.
The question on many minds is whether the damage caused by alcohol can be reversed.
While short-term abstinence can lead to weight loss and improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels, the outlook is less optimistic for cancer risk.
Dr. Rotonya Carr from the University of Washington notes that it may take at least 20 years after stopping drinking for one's risk of liver cancer to match that of a non-drinker.
Source: @drjeremylondon / Tiktok.
“Alcohol does do damage at the cellular level,” she said. “That damage sometimes can be undone, but over a very, very long period of time.”
Dr. Frances Lee, a hepatologist at Mount Sinai in New York, adds that factors such as family history and the extent of DNA damage from binge drinking can influence the potential benefits of reducing alcohol intake.
“For someone who has been binge drinking a lot, there is likely a lot of DNA damage,” she said. “If there’s a history of certain cancers, then perhaps they won’t be able to undo that risk.”
Current U.S. guidelines recommend no more than one drink per day for women and two for men. However, even these limits may pose risks.
A study last year suggested that adhering to these guidelines could prevent about 83% of yearly alcohol-related cancer deaths.
Yet, there's “emerging evidence” that even moderate drinking could increase the overall risk of cancer, heart disease, or death.
With the guidelines due for an update, Murthy's call for reassessment could influence the forthcoming recommendations. An upcoming report from a group within the Department of Health and Human Services will also likely inform the update.
Meanwhile, Canada has taken a firmer stance, stating that no amount of alcohol is healthy.
Source: Good Morning America / Youtube.
For years, some studies have suggested that moderate drinking, particularly of red wine, could have health benefits due to antioxidants.
“There was lots of talk in years past about the benefit, potentially, of red wine. A lot of that has been difficult to validate in further studies,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer for the American Cancer Society.
When it comes to alcohol and cancer risk, the type of beverage—liquor, beer, or wine—is less important than the quantity of alcohol consumed.
Dr. Kenneth Nahum from Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center warns that trendy spiked seltzers and teas might mislead consumers about their alcohol content, leading to unintentional overconsumption.
“They’re drinking it like it’s a soft drink,” he said. “They don’t even realize they’re drinking that much.”
While the Surgeon General's report may not immediately alter drinking habits, it's a step toward better informing the public.
Interestingly, adults under 35 are drinking less than previous generations, possibly due to the availability of other substances like vaping and edibles, as noted by Elizabeth Kovacs from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
However, drinking has increased among those 55 and older, a trend that warrants attention in the older community, as per a 2023 analysis.
Have you or someone you know been affected by alcohol-related health issues? How do you balance the enjoyment of a drink with the potential risks? Share your stories and insights in the comments below!
