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U.S. Surgeon General Urges Cancer Warnings on Alcohol Labels, Citing 7 Cancer Types and 100,000 Annual Cases

Jan 12, 2025, 03:50 PM

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has issued a final advisory recommending the inclusion of cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages. The advisory highlights a direct link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of developing at least seven types of cancer, including those of the mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, breast, liver, and colon. Murthy's recommendation comes as he concludes his term, emphasizing that alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., contributing to about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually. Globally, 741,300 cancer cases in 2020 were attributable to alcohol, with 185,100 of those cases linked to consumption of two or fewer drinks per day. In the U.S., 16.4% of breast cancer cases are attributed to alcohol consumption. The advisory also notes that only 45% of Americans are aware of the link between alcohol and cancer, underscoring the need for increased public awareness and education on this issue.