Startling report highlights link between cancer and alcohol that will inform new US guidelines
With dry January in full effect, many of us have kicked the habit and left our booze behind the bar for the month.
However, it's not just limited to January, with others hoping to extend their alcohol-free lifestyle much longer.
A startling report links alcohol to cancer, meaning you might think twice before picking up your favorite tipple.
Research over the decades suggests that even as few as one alcoholic drink a day can increase your likelihood of getting certain cancers.
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Dr. Vivek Murthy released a Surgeon General Advisory on January 3, 2025, highlighting the apparent link between alcohol and cancer.
In his report, Murthy called for alcoholic beverages to include labels warning about cancer - similar to what can be found on cigarette packets.
With many associating cirrhosis of the liver as the main health problem with alcohol, a 2019 survey from the American Institute for Cancer Research revealed under half of the Americans asked didn't identify alcohol as a cancer risk.
In reality, alcohol is the third-most preventable cause of cancer in the United States, coming behind tobacco in first and obesity in second.
Murthy's report reiterates that alcohol can be attributed to 100,000 cancer cases and over 20,000 cancer deaths every year. Alcohol can be linked to cancer cases relating to the breast, liver, colorectal, mouth, throat, esophagus, and voice box.
Most worryingly, alcohol-induced cancer deaths are higher than alcohol-associated traffic fatalities.
Murthy says that breast cancer is a particular area of concern, with an increase in drinking among women also being an underrated issue.
It's not just 'heavy' alcohol drinkers at risk, and although less alcohol is obviously better, 25% of these drink-related cancer cases are affecting those who are considered moderate drinkers.
As noted by Science Alert, a 2016 surgeon general's report also warned about links between alcohol, addiction, and cancer.
Murthy's report shows evidence that supports the previous report, using epidemiological science to try and figure out the relationship between cancer rates and how many alcoholic drinks we consume. Experimental animal studies also hope to help scientists understand these connections.
Alcohol is said to affect our DNA, and although healthy cells constantly divide all the time, cancerous cells can be traced to alcohol-induced DNA damage.
There are four key pathways, like our bodies breaking down alcohol into acetaldehyde that can damage our DNA. Alcohol also creates reactive oxygen species, raises estrogen levels as a tie to breast cancer, and is a solvent that can lead to the body absorbing other carcinogens more readily.
The report asks for alcohol warning labels, which haven't been updated since they were introduced in 1988.
In terms of how much alcohol is safe to drink, we're told the unfortunate answer is none.
Even if you aren't going sober forever, reducing your alcohol intake by just a couple of drinks a day can help with one of cancer's most preventable risk factors.
None of the studies can tell you what your individual cancer risk is, with your genes being a major contributing factor.
The surgeon general wants to revamp guidelines, improve education when it comes to alcohol and cancer, and update daily alcohol consumption limits.