The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued a groundbreaking advisory linking alcohol consumption to cancer, sparking significant public concern and financial repercussions. Released on January 3, 2025, the advisory led to a sharp decline in alcohol company stocks as it called for cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages.
This revelation has raised questions about the risks associated with alcohol use and its potential to contribute to various cancers. Here’s what we know about the advisory, its research, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s stance.
Who Is Vivek Murthy?
Dr. Vivek Murthy is the United States Surgeon General and a prominent advocate for public health. The British-American physician and vice admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps has served as the 19th and 21st Surgeon General under President Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.
Murthy’s tenure has been marked by his efforts to address critical health issues, including the opioid crisis and COVID-19. His latest advisory on alcohol and cancer adds to his legacy as a vocal advocate for preventive health measures. He will leave office on January 20, 2025.
What Did the Surgeon General Say About Alcohol and Cancer?
The advisory highlights a strong connection between alcohol consumption and seven types of cancer. According to Murthy, alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, following tobacco use and obesity.
“Alcohol is responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer in the United States each year and 20,000 cancer deaths,” Murthy told NPR’s Morning Edition. The cancers most closely linked to alcohol include:
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Mouth (oral cavity) cancer
- Throat (pharynx) cancer
- Voice box (larynx) cancer
Murthy emphasized that even moderate drinking can elevate cancer risks. “For certain cancers, like breast, mouth, and throat cancers, evidence shows that the risk of developing cancer may start to increase around one or fewer drinks per day,” he wrote in the advisory.
Whether or not cancer warnings will be added to alcohol labels is up to Congress. If implemented, this could mark a significant shift in public awareness regarding alcohol’s risks.
What Does the Research Say About Alcohol and Cancer?
The Surgeon General’s report isn’t the first to link alcohol consumption to cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), there is a strong scientific consensus that drinking alcohol can directly cause several types of cancer.
The NCI explains that the risk of developing alcohol-associated cancer increases with the amount and frequency of alcohol consumed. Even light drinking—defined as no more than one drink per day—has been linked to a modestly increased risk for some cancers.
For breast cancer, the statistics are particularly concerning. Approximately 16.4% of all breast cancer cases are attributed to alcohol consumption, according to the Surgeon General’s report.
The National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services classifies alcohol consumption as a known human carcinogen. Research has identified “clear patterns” of alcohol use increasing the risk of cancers in the liver, breast, colorectal, head and neck, and esophagus.
How Significant Is the Risk?
The risk of developing cancer from alcohol use is dose-dependent, meaning it increases with the amount of alcohol consumed over time. According to data from 2009, an estimated 3.5% of all cancer deaths in the United States—about 19,500 deaths—were alcohol-related.
Both regular moderate drinkers and binge drinkers face increased risks. Binge drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men in a single sitting.
The cumulative effect of alcohol consumption over time plays a significant role. Those who drink regularly for years are at higher risk than those who drink occasionally or abstain.
What Does This Mean for Public Health?
The Surgeon General’s advisory highlights the importance of raising awareness about alcohol’s health risks. By linking alcohol to cancer and advocating for warning labels, Dr. Murthy hopes to encourage individuals to make more informed decisions about their alcohol consumption.
The advisory has also sparked debates about the role of government in regulating public health messaging, with potential implications for the alcohol industry. If Congress mandates cancer warnings on alcoholic beverages, it could lead to a cultural shift similar to the one seen with tobacco products.
Key Takeaways
- Alcohol is linked to seven types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, and liver cancers.
- Even moderate drinking can increase cancer risk, particularly for cancers of the mouth, throat, and breast.
- Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., following tobacco and obesity.
- Public health officials, including the Surgeon General, are advocating for cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use, help is available. Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for confidential support and resources.
