The surgeon general’s cancer warning on alcohol is long overdue

The surgeon general’s cancer warning on alcohol is long overdue

Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States.

Orange County is a place where people are continually reexamining their health goals. Finding enjoyable ways to get more exercise, increasing intake of plant-based foods and decreasing intake of processed foods, and staying on track with routine checkups and cancer screenings are popular and well-known approaches to healthy living here. There is another lifestyle factor receiving increased attention in our community and across the country: Reducing alcohol consumption. There is good reason to consider limiting or eliminating alcohol intake: Not only is it beneficial for overall health, it can also decrease the risk of cancer.

Recently, the surgeon general released a report detailing the well-established connection between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing at least seven types of cancers. Alcohol is responsible for around 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths each year in the U.S. — greater than the 13,500 alcohol-associated traffic crash fatalities each year.

Alcohol is also the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., behind only tobacco and obesity. For breast, mouth and throat cancers, the risk may start to develop with one or fewer drinks a day, the surgeon general’s office said. Yet, many people don’t know much about the link between drinking alcohol and cancer.

As a medical oncologist who cares every day for people with cancer and a member of the Orange County community, I see firsthand that there’s also confusion about how much alcohol – if any at all – is considered “safe” to drink. Many people understand alcohol isn’t necessarily “good” for you, but aren’t aware of the significant risks, especially when it comes to cancer.

This lack of awareness aligns with established research. A 2019 study found that 72 percent of U.S. adults reported they consumed one or more drinks a week—but less than half of U.S. adults are aware of the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk. Yet, 89 percent of people surveyed knew about the connection between tobacco and cancer.

Nishan Tchekmedyian, M.D.

Better education about alcohol and its link to cancer risk is something we need more of in Orange County, which is why the surgeon general’s recommendation for an updated health warning label on alcohol beverages that includes a cancer risk warning is an important step. The surgeon general's report, on its own, is helping educate people about the direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer. It could potentially save lives.

For people who choose to drink alcohol, current guidelines suggest no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. However, research has not established a specific “safe” amount you can drink, any more than there is a “safe” number of cigarettes you can smoke. When it comes to preventing cancer, the less you drink, the better—and not drinking at all is best. In fact, it is projected that 17% of alcohol-related U.S. cancer deaths happen in patients who have had two or less drinks per day.

Moderating or eliminating alcohol is one of the most frequent recommendations I make to people as part of their cancer prevention or treatment plan. While stopping alcohol consumption today won’t reduce your cancer risk instantly, the benefits will make a significant impact over time — and the best way to treat cancer is to prevent it in the first place.

If you're looking for ways to improve your health, consider saving alcoholic beverages for special occasions or abstaining altogether. By adopting an alcohol-conscious lifestyle, you’ll not only feel better, but you’ll be actively reducing your risk of cancer.

Nishan Tchekmedyian, M.D., MBA, is the deputy physician-in-chief for City of Hope Orange County. He practices at City of Hope Seacliff in Huntington Beach and City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center in Irvine.

Also read:

The Younger Face of Cancer
City of Hope Orange County leads “Pink is Powerful” breast health initiative
City of Hope Orange County and Panda Express bring cancer patients delicious “Food as Medicine” culinary experience


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