By Annette Pinder

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, recently called for warning labels on alcohol that are similar to those required for cigarettes. Dr. Murthy’s decision is based on a new report that links alcohol consumption and cancer. Cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, bowel, liver, and breast are specifically linked to alcohol consumption.

According to Dr. Murthy, “Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer.” In fact, alcohol consumption is responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States. The statistic is greater than the 13,500 alcohol-associated traffic crash fatalities per year in the U.S. Murthy’s advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk.

The Alcohol and Cancer Risk 2025 report reviews the science of alcohol’s cancer-causing potential, the types of cancer that are linked to alcohol consumption, recommendations to help increase public awareness of the dangers of alcohol with respect to cancer, and actions we can take to reduce this risk. Dr. Murthy says fewer than half of Americans are aware of the association between alcohol and cancer, despite overwhelming evidence gathered over the past four decades. He says that alcohol is the third leading preventable cause, after tobacco use and obesity.

In addition to the warning label, Dr. Murthy suggests:

  • Reassessing consumption guidelines regarding cancer risk
  • Highlighting alcohol as a leading cancer risk factor on the part of public health officials
  • Expanding public education regarding dangers of alcohol use
  • Having health care providers discuss the link between alcohol and cancer with their patients

The American Cancer Society (ACS) says that the advisory “brings necessary awareness” of the cancer risks associated with alcohol consumption. “Alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer. It is imperative that people are made aware of the potential impact of alcohol consumption and are met with recommendations on how to reduce their risk,” says William Dahut, MD, ACS chief scientific officer.

Bruce Scott, MD, President of The American Medical Association (AMA), says the advisory helps in clearly linking alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk. He says, “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. And yet, despite decades of compelling evidence of this connection, too many in the public remain unaware of alcohol’s risk.” Dr. Scott says the new advisory, updating the Surgeon General’s health warning label on alcoholic beverages, will help increase awareness, improve health, and save lives.

To learn more about the link between alcohol and seven different types of cancer, see https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/oash-alcohol-cancer-risk.pdf for the entire 22-page Alcohol and Cancer Risk 2025 report.