New findings reveal that over 5% of cancer cases are associated with alcohol consumption, as reported in the 2024 Cancer Progress Report by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Alcohol ranks third among cancer risk factors, following obesity and smoking cigarettes."Drinking alcohol excessively raises the risk for six types of cancer, including certain head and neck cancers, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and breast, colorectal, liver, and stomach cancers," explained Rajarshi Sengupta, PhD, the lead author of the report. The report highlights that reducing or eliminating alcohol intake can decrease the risk of alcohol-related cancers by 8% and overall cancer risk by 4%.Dr. Adam Scioli, an addiction psychiatrist at Caron Treatment Centers, discussed changing views on alcohol's health impact. He noted, "While there have been reports suggesting alcohol may have health benefits, we now understand that alcohol consumption is a modifiable risk factor for cancer." Data from AACR indicates that 75,000 Americans are diagnosed with alcohol-related cancers annually, with the risk increasing based on alcohol consumption levels.Scioli emphasized that alcohol is a toxin with harmful effects on the body's organs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines moderate alcohol use as one drink per day for women and two for men, but warns that even low alcohol intake levels can heighten the risk of certain cancers. Despite the well-known association between smoking and cancer, public awareness regarding 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 suggested that reducing alcohol consumption could lower cancer risk. "We must improve informing the public about these risks.""Drinking carries inherent risks," he noted. In response, Sengupta suggested the implementation of public awareness campaigns and the inclusion of cancer-specific cautionary labels on alcoholic drinks. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of exploring effective clinical approaches to decrease alcohol intake. Thyroid cancer awareness month: Identifying risk factors and recognizing early symptoms.