Recent research suggests that over 5% of cancer cases are attributed to alcohol consumption, as stated in the 2024 Cancer Progress Report by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Alcohol ranks as the third leading risk factor for cancer, following obesity and cigarette smoking. The lead author of the report, Rajarshi Sengupta, PhD, notes that high levels of alcohol consumption can elevate the risk of six types of cancer, including head and neck, esophageal, breast, colorectal, liver, and stomach cancers.

Dr. Adam Scioli, an addiction psychiatrist at Caron Treatment Centers, discussed the changing perceptions of alcohol's impact on health. While some believed alcohol had health benefits, it is now known to be a modifiable risk factor for cancer. The AACR data reveal that 75,000 Americans are diagnosed with alcohol-related cancers annually, with the risk increasing with higher alcohol intake.

Moderate alcohol use is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one drink per day for women and up to two drinks for men. Even low levels of alcohol consumption can heighten the risk of certain cancers. Despite the well-known link between tobacco and cancer, public awareness regarding alcohol's impact on cancer risk remains low, with 51% of Americans unaware of this connection.

Scioli stresses the importance of raising public awareness about the risks associated with alcohol consumption to help reduce cancer risk."He mentioned the risks associated with drinking," he stated. In response to this, Sengupta proposed launching public awareness campaigns and implementing cancer-specific warning labels on alcoholic drinks. She also emphasized the importance of developing effective clinical interventions to decrease alcohol consumption. This article discusses the risk factors and early symptoms of thyroid cancer in recognition of Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month."