The US Surgeon General says alcohol should come with a cancer warning label like cigarettes

It seems that many Americans do not know the risk of cancer from alcohol. This week, the US Surgeon General highlighted the link between alcohol and cancer, while also calling for classification reforms to increase people’s awareness of the issue.

On Friday, the current Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, Issued Advice on the link between alcohol and cancer, in addition to a a report And detail the evidence for this. Among other things, Murthy called for the adoption of warning labels on alcoholic beverages explaining the danger. The Surgeon General notes that less than half of Americans know that alcohol can cause cancer.

Research studies over the years have consistently shown that alcohol can be a major risk factor for cancer. A 2021 study estimated that alcohol Helps cause For example, about 700,000 cancer cases worldwide annually. It is responsible for a fair share of cancer in the United States as well.

“Alcohol is a well-established and preventable cause of cancer and is responsible for approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States — greater than the 13,500 alcohol-related traffic crash deaths annually in the United States — yet the majority of Americans,” Murthy said in ​​Statement: “They are unaware of this risk.” “This advice sets out steps we can all take to raise awareness of the cancer risks from alcohol and reduce harm.”

Alcohol is thought to increase the risk of at least seven types of cancer, according to the Surgeon General. These include cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, liver, mouth (oral cavity), throat (pharynx) and voice box (larynx). Interestingly, alcohol may contribute to one in six cases of breast cancer. While the greatest health risks of alcohol are associated with heavy or chronic drinking, some research has suggested that even modest consumption (one drink or less per day) can increase the risk of breast, throat and mouth cancer.

However, much of the general public is still unaware of the relationship between alcohol and cancer. It has nationally representative survey data Found Only 45% of Americans over the age of 18 know the role of alcohol in causing cancer. So, in addition to advisory advice, Murthy recommends using extensive warning labels for alcohol products that clearly state their association with cancer, similar to the labels already found on tobacco products.

Ultimately, any new warning labels will require congressional approval. President-elect Donald Trump is famous He doesn’t drinkSo his next administration may be more receptive to the idea than many might assume. But it remains unclear whether Trump or the GOP-led House and Senate would support any such change.

Murthy also called for other measures to increase public awareness of alcohol and its link to cancer. These include re-evaluating guideline limits for alcohol consumption set by government health agencies to account for cancer risks, and pressing public health groups and doctors to emphasize the link more clearly.