New findings from the 2024 Cancer Progress Report by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) show that alcohol consumption is associated with over 5% of all cancer cases. Alcohol ranks as the third major risk factor for cancer, following obesity and cigarette smoking. Lead author Rajarshi Sengupta, PhD, highlighted that excessive alcohol consumption elevates the risk for six types of cancer, including head and neck cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer. By reducing or cutting out alcohol intake, individuals can lower the risk of alcohol-related cancers by 8% and the risk of all cancers by 4%. Dr. Adam Scioli, an addiction psychiatrist, noted the changing perceptions of alcohol's health effects, emphasizing its status as a modifiable cancer risk factor. Data points from AACR reveal that 75,000 Americans are diagnosed annually with alcohol-related cancers, with risks escalating based on alcohol consumption volume and frequency. Despite the well-known link between tobacco and cancer, public awareness of alcohol's role in cancer risk is lacking, as 51% of Americans are unaware of this connection. Scioli stressed the importance of raising public awareness and reducing alcohol intake to mitigate cancer risks."Inherent in consuming alcohol," he stated. To tackle this issue, Sengupta proposed public awareness campaigns and cancer-specific caution labels on alcoholic drinks. Additionally, effective clinical approaches should be explored to decrease alcohol intake, she emphasized. Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month: Understanding Risk Factors and Early Symptoms.