In January this year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy asked Congress to require that alcoholic beverages be sold with a “Surgeon General’s Warning” like the black and white warning boxes found on cigarettes.
In his announcement, the Surgeon General noted that alcohol is the third leading (and preventable) cause of cancer behind cigarettes and obesity. He shared some scary statistics, too: alcohol is the driver behind 20,000 cancer deaths every year in the United States.
While most Americans scoffed at the idea of a warning label on their favorite beer, the idea is far from ill-informed.
The Surgeon General is correct: Alcohol consumption has been linked to various types of cancer, including breast and liver cancers.
Studies indicate that even moderate drinking can increase risk levels. Awareness of these risks is crucial for informed decision-making regarding alcohol use, promoting healthier lifestyles and potentially reducing cancer incidence in the population.
What cancers are elevated with the consumption of alcohol?
There are at least seven different cancers that are directly affected by the consumption of alcohol, even in moderate amounts. They are:
- Breast cancer (in women)
- Colorectum (or colon and rectum) cancer
- Esophagus cancer
- Voice box or Larynx cancer
- Liver cancer
- Mouth or Oral Cavity cancer
- Throat or Pharynx cancer
These are officially considered “alcohol-related cancers” and the casual link between alcohol consumption and these types of cancers is considered well-established by the Surgeon General, prompting the recent warning labels that have been attached to alcoholic beverages by that office.
How does alcohol affect the body in such a way that it elevates cancer risk, even with moderate use?
There are four different mechanisms through which alcohol causes ill effects on the human body. They are:
- Spreading acetaldehyde through the body, which damages DNA
- Causes oxidative stress, which damages DNA, proteins, and lipids and increases overall inflammation
- Altering hormones like estrogen, which increases breast cancer risk in women
- Altering cells in the mouth and throat that make it more easy for carcinogens in the environment to be absorbed into the body
How much alcohol does one need to drink in order to raise the risk of cancer?
Not much. Any consumption of alcohol can contribute to a patient’s overall cancer risk. However, studies have shown that out of 100 women who consume two alcoholic beverages a day, 5 of those women will go on to develop cancer due to that level of consumption. Among men, 3 of 100 patients who consume two drinks per day will go on to develop cancer due to that level of consumption.
Put another way, two drinks per day raises a patient’s absolute cancer risk by about 6.5% in women and by about 3% in men.
Are some kinds of alcoholic beverages more unhealthy than others when it comes to cancer risk?
No, all alcoholic beverages carry the same risks, namely elevated cancer risk, heightened inflammation, and increased levels of absorption of carcinogens. Beverages with less alcohol in them will, of course, lower a patient’s overall consumption of alcohol. Beverages with more alcohol in them will raise the overall level of consumption. The statistics that are used in alcohol studies are usually “average” alcohol levels in an “average” alcoholic beverage – the same levels that are found in 1 shot, 1 beer, or 1 glass of wine.
What about if I drink within the current health guidelines? Is that safe or does that still come with cancer risks?
The Surgeon General is urging the American public to understand that there is no 100% “safe” level of alcohol consumption. The current guidelines – one drink a day for women and two for men – are still correlated with an elevated risk of some cancers. It’s better to refrain from drinking on a daily basis and instead switch to “special occasions only” or perhaps indulge yourself one or twice a week. For those struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder, it’s best to refrain from alcohol consumption altogether, of course.
Other recent blog posts about alcohol, alcoholism, and recovery from SUD
“Am I Drinking too Much?” 5 Ways to Know When You’ve Crossed the Line
So You Had a Dream About Using Drugs or Alcohol. Now What?
Our 4 Favorite Addiction Recovery Support Groups in Portland Oregon
Neurodiversity and Addiction: Is There a Connection?
Where can I learn more about alcohol consumption and cancer risk?
If you want to read more about how alcohol increases your risk for cancer, you can read about it in this new publication put out by the Department of Health and Human Services.
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