The US surgeon general, also known as surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has issued a strong warning about the risks of alcohol consumption and the need for greater public awareness about its links to cancer. The reportwhich was released last week, the White House’s top health official recommended that alcoholic beverages include clear warnings about their possible connection to the development of various types of cancer.
“Alcohol is a well-established preventable cause of cancer, responsible for approximately 100,000 cases and 20,000 deaths from cancer each year in the United States. Despite this, the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” Murthy said in a text sent to the Voice of Americaalso highlighting that alcohol consumption ranks third among preventable causes of cancer, after tobacco and obesity.
A scientifically proven relationship
This is not the first time that the medical community has warned of the harmful effects of alcohol over the decades based on scientific research.
In the 1980s, the link between alcohol and cancer was first established, and since then, the evidence has only grown.
More recently, in a study from August 2024, light to moderate drinking was linked to an increased risk of cancer in older adults, while a study from September of the same year found that heavy alcohol consumption could increase the risk of other types of cancer.
“What we have seen specifically is that people under 55 years of age have increased the incidence of six of the ten common cancers, such as breast, prostate, melanoma, kidney, endometrium and pancreas cancer,” says Dr. Jonathan Villena, thoracic surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine Center in New York and spokesperson for the American Cancer Society (ACS), during an interview with the VOA.
Additionally, other research has shown that regular alcohol consumption is associated with liver disease, brain damage, and weight gain.
“The direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer was first established in the late 1980s and the evidence of this connection has strengthened over time,” notes the report signed by the US Surgeon General.
Dr. Anna Lembke, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University, supports this evidence. “The evidence that alcohol causes cancer is reliable. People have a right to know. It could make them think before consuming alcohol or reduce their intake,” he said.
Lack of information
One of the central points of the report is the lack of public awareness about this risk. a study A 2019 study by the American Institute for Cancer Research found that only 45% of Americans recognize alcohol as a cancer risk factor, compared to 91% who identify tobacco or 89% who point to radiation exposure.
Dr. William Dahut, ACS chief scientific officer, emphasized the importance of the surgeon general’s report. “This notice brings with it the necessary awareness about the risks of alcohol consumption in relation to the incidence of cancer. “It is essential that people are aware of the potential impact of alcohol and receive advice on how to reduce their risk,” he stated.
How does alcohol affect our body?
The report also delves into the biological mechanisms that explain how alcohol can cause cancer:
Acetaldehyde: When broken down in the body, alcohol generates this substance, which can damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer mutations.
Oxidative Stress: Alcohol generates reactive oxygen species that can inflame and damage DNA, proteins and lipids.
Hormonal Alteration: Alcohol consumption can alter estrogen levels, a key factor in the development of breast cancer.
Carcinogen Absorption: Alcohol facilitates the absorption of carcinogenic substances, especially tobacco smoke, increasing the risks of cancer in the mouth and throat.
Alcohol as an element to socialize
Other experts in the field consulted by the VOA They remember that alcohol has also become a key element for socializing and that could directly affect those who feel “that they have no family or friends, that they have nothing.”
“As social human beings, our brain is social, we need to interact with friends, go for coffee or chat with family, even over a drink,” emphasizes Christina Ballinotti, an expert in clinical psychology who has a practice in Bal Harbor, Florida. .
She talks about how loneliness has become a kind of “silent pandemic,” taking into account that in the United States, more than 60% of the population claims to have felt lonely at some point in the last 365 days.
Therefore, alcohol can become for some that resource to meet people or feel good in a place, especially among those who do not have social skills.
There are companies like Diageo, one of the largest alcoholic beverage manufacturing companies in the world, that have launched awareness campaigns to alert the population about excessive alcohol consumption to alleviate the effects of loneliness.
“We want to ensure that people can consume responsibly. And what does that mean? Give them advice that can really be transformed into actions that lead to responsible consumption beyond talking about it in the abstract,” said Ana Fikzgibbons, director of alcohol in society at Diageo.
What does it mean for consumers?
Despite warnings, alcohol consumption remains a culturally accepted practice and even promoted for some potential benefits. Other recent studies suggest that red wine, in the context of a Mediterranean diet, may contribute to cardiovascular health.
However, some doctors caution that these benefits are not definitive and may not outweigh the risks.
“Some studies suggest that a daily glass of red wine could have cardioprotective effects, but there is also significant evidence of its risks,” says Dr. Carlos Riveros, an internal medicine specialist based in Miami, Florida.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends moderate consumption: up to two drinks per day for men and one for women. However, authorities emphasize that completely abstaining is the safest way to minimize health risks.
For it to become effective, it is necessary for Congress to approve the new guidelines recommended by the US surgeon general, who insists that the only thing sought is for consumers to be able to make “informed decisions” about their health.
“This report is a reminder that we must prioritize education and prevention. Reducing alcohol consumption can save lives,” concluded Dr. Murthy.
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