The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued an urgent advisory on Friday, January 3, highlighting the significant link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk. He called for updated health warning labels on alcoholic beverages to inform the public.
“Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer, responsible for about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 deaths annually in the U.S.,” Dr. Murthy said. He noted that these figures surpass the 13,500 annual fatalities from alcohol-related traffic crashes. Despite this, most Americans remain unaware of the cancer risks posed by alcohol.
Alcohol ranks as the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., following tobacco and obesity. Research has firmly linked alcohol consumption to seven types of cancer: breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, mouth, throat, and larynx. The risk persists regardless of the type of alcohol consumed and escalates with higher intake.
Contrary to popular beliefs about the potential health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption—particularly red wine—evidence increasingly highlights its harmful effects. Even light drinking, such as one or fewer drinks per day, can elevate the risk for cancers like breast, mouth, and throat cancer, the Surgeon General’s office emphasized.
Dr. Murthy’s advisory also urged a reassessment of alcohol consumption guidelines to account for these cancer risks. He stressed the importance of raising awareness so individuals can make informed choices about drinking.
Updating warning labels on alcoholic beverages to reflect these risks would require congressional approval. The advisory marks a pivotal step in educating the public about the overlooked dangers of alcohol consumption.