The U.S. is facing a deadly epidemic, claiming about 13,500 lives annually due to impaired driving. However, health officials warn that a more insidious danger lurks in relative obscurity: alcohol consumption linked to cancer deaths.
According to the latest research and a recent Surgeon General’s advisory, an estimated 20,000 cancer deaths each year are attributed to alcohol consumption. This is despite the fact that many Americans remain unaware of this link, with over half not knowing that drinking can increase cancer risk.
Alcohol use has been linked to at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colorectum, esophagus, liver, mouth (oral cavity), throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx). The more a person drinks, the greater the danger. Dr. Noelle LoConte, a medical oncologist, emphasizes that there is no safe amount of alcohol when it comes to cancer risk.
Despite social norms surrounding moderate drinking, many people fail to disclose their consumption levels to their doctors. This lack of awareness and disclosure can lead to undiagnosed health risks. The advisory highlights the need for better education on the dangers of excessive drinking and the importance of discussing health risks with healthcare providers.
Source: https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/cancers-linked-to-alcohol