Alcohol consumption causes about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States – more than the 13,500 yearly alcohol-related traffic fatalities – according to a new advisory from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
The Surgeon General recommends updating health warning labels on alcoholic beverages to include cancer risk information and calls for reassessment of recommended drinking limits. The advisory also urges healthcare providers to inform patients about the alcohol-cancer link and promote screening for alcohol use.
“Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States – greater than the 13,500 alcohol-associated traffic crash fatalities per year in the U.S. – yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” said Dr. Murthy.
The advisory reveals that alcohol directly increases risk for at least seven types of cancer, including breast cancer in women, colorectal cancer, and cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, and liver. For breast cancer specifically, alcohol contributes to 16.4% of total cases, affecting about 44,180 women in 2019.
Despite clear scientific evidence established over four decades, less than half of U.S. adults recognize alcohol as a cancer risk factor. While 72% of American adults report consuming one or more drinks per week, only 45% are aware of the alcohol-cancer connection – far below awareness of other cancer risk factors like radiation exposure (91%) or tobacco use (89%).
Cancer risk increases with alcohol consumption, and research shows the risk may begin with just one drink per day for certain cancers. The advisory explains that alcohol causes cancer through multiple mechanisms, including DNA damage and increased inflammation.