Recent research shows that alcohol consumption is a contributing factor in over 5% of all cancer cases, according to the 2024 Cancer Progress Report released by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). The report ranks alcohol as the third leading risk factor for cancer, following obesity and cigarette smoking. Dr. Rajarshi Sengupta, the lead author of the report, explains that excessive alcohol intake heightens the risk for six types of cancer, including head and neck cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and breast, colorectal, liver, and stomach cancers. Limiting or eliminating alcohol intake can decrease the risk of alcohol-related cancers by 8% and all cancers by 4%.
Dr. Adam Scioli, an addiction psychiatrist from Caron Treatment Centers, notes the changing perceptions of alcohol's impact on health. Despite previous beliefs that alcohol might be beneficial, it is now identified as a modifiable risk factor for cancer. Data from the AACR reveals that 75,000 Americans are diagnosed with alcohol-attributable cancers annually, with the risk increasing based on the amount and frequency of alcohol consumed. Scioli emphasizes that alcohol is toxic, causing harm to various organs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines moderate alcohol consumption as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks for men. Even low levels of alcohol use can raise the risk of specific cancers, as stated by the CDC. While the connection between tobacco and cancer is well-known, public awareness regarding alcohol's role in cancer risk is lacking. The AACR reports that 51% of Americans are unaware of this link.
Scioli stresses the importance of increasing public awareness and suggests that reducing alcohol intake can help lower the risk of cancer. He advocates for better education to inform individuals about the risks associated with alcohol consumption."Inherent risks associated with alcohol consumption," he noted. To tackle this issue, Sengupta suggested the implementation of public awareness campaigns and the inclusion of cancer-specific cautionary labels on alcoholic drinks. It is also important to explore effective clinical approaches to support the reduction of alcohol intake, she emphasized. Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month: Factors contributing to risk and early signs.
