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Washington – In a groundbreaking advisory issued on Friday, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stated that alcohol consumption is a leading cause of cancer, urging that this risk be clearly labeled on alcoholic beverages. As research continues to highlight the harmful effects of alcohol on human health, Murthy emphasizes the importance of educating the public about the direct link between alcohol and cancer.
The Surgeon General’s warning comes at a time when the evidence about alcohol’s detrimental impact on public health is becoming increasingly undeniable. According to Dr. Murthy, nearly one million preventable cancer cases in the United States over the last decade can be attributed to alcohol consumption. His advisory underscores the fact that alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., contributing to approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer-related deaths each year.
“Today, I’m releasing a Surgeon General’s Advisory on the causal link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk. Alcohol is the 3rd leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., contributing to about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths each year,” Dr. Murthy shared on social media.
The advisory further explains that alcohol consumption raises the risk of developing at least seven types of cancer, including liver, breast, and throat cancer. Murthy also notes that the more alcohol a person consumes, the higher their risk for developing these serious illnesses.
Currently, bottles of beer, wine, and liquor already display warning labels regarding the risks of birth defects from alcohol consumption during pregnancy. However, Dr. Murthy is pushing for additional labeling that would specifically warn consumers about alcohol’s connection to cancer, aiming to increase awareness and spur informed decision-making.
“For individuals, be aware that cancer risk increases as you drink more alcohol,” Murthy wrote in his post on the social media platform X. “As you consider whether or how much to drink, keep in mind that less is better when it comes to cancer risk.”
As the Surgeon General continues to advocate for public health, this new advisory represents a significant step toward reducing preventable cancer cases and educating Americans about the dangers of alcohol. Public health experts and advocates have praised Murthy’s initiative, calling it a necessary move to bring further attention to a health crisis that affects millions.
With the growing body of research on alcohol-related cancer risks, the hope is that more individuals will make better-informed choices about their alcohol consumption, potentially saving thousands of lives in the process.
