Alcohol consumption increases your risk of these 7 types of cancer

The U.S. Surgeon General issued a new advisory highlighting the link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk. The advisory emphasizes that alcohol is a preventable cause of at least seven types of cancer, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Approximately 100,000 annual cancer cases and 20,000 deaths are attributed to alcohol in the U.S., exceeding alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Alcohol ranks as the third leading preventable cause of cancer, trailing only tobacco and obesity. Breast cancer shows a particularly strong association with alcohol, with 16.4% of cases linked to its consumption. Even moderate drinking increases cancer risk, affecting various organs including the breast, mouth, and throat. The advisory recommends stronger warning labels on alcoholic beverages and a reevaluation of safe drinking guidelines. Public awareness of alcohol's cancer risk remains low, prompting calls for increased education by healthcare professionals. The advisory stresses the need for urgent public health action to mitigate alcohol-related cancers. Empowering individuals with knowledge about alcohol's cancer risks is central to the advisory's recommendations.