Introduction
Alcohol consumption is never beneficial for the body; this has always been recognized. However, recent studies have highlighted the possible risks.
According to the American Association for Cancer Research’s (AACR) Cancer Progress Report 2024, alcohol use contributes to about 5% of cancer cases worldwide.
After obesity (7.6% of cases) and cigarette smoking (19.3%), alcohol is the third most important modifiable risk factor for cancer.
According to Rajarshi Sengupta, PhD, lead author of the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2024, excessive alcohol consumption raises the risk for six different types of cancer, including some types of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer, breast, and stomach cancers
liver, and colorectal.
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Alcohol Consumption, Addiction Risks
According to addiction psychiatrist Dr. Adam Scioli of Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania, there has been a “roller coaster of information” over whether alcohol is detrimental.
Scioli, who is unaffiliated with AACR, told Fox News Digital, “We know now that alcohol ingestion is one of the modifiable risk factors for cancer. There have even been reports for years that it could be beneficial for one’s health.”
According to Scioli, about 75,000 Americans get a cancer diagnosis each year that is somehow related to alcohol consumption.
He cautioned that the risk increases with one’s level and frequency of drinking.
Alcohol Consumption, Safe Amount
For women, moderate alcohol consumption is one drink or fewer per day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two drinks or less per day for males.
Scioli emphasized that there can definitely be no added health benefit to the ingestion of alcohol.
He argued that the line between safety and danger is debatable, and is different for each person.
Sengupta claims that whereas risk factors such as tobacco usage are well established, there is still a lack of public knowledge regarding the connection between alcohol use and cancer.
Alcohol Consumption, Awareness
According to AACR research, the majority of Americans (51%) are unaware that alcohol raises cancer risk.
“It’s been flying under the radar for far too long,” Scioli stated. ” Especially given the number of “Americans who have met the criteria for alcohol use disorder, which is around 29 million Americans in 2023,” he added
The public must be made considerably more aware of the dangers of drinking. Especially moderate to excessive drinking, according to Scioli.
Additionally, we must inform the public about the resources available to them for assistance if they are unable to control their drinking or stop on their own. Sengupta of the AACR advocated for public awareness initiatives, adding that they may include “such as cancer-specific warning labels displayed on alcoholic beverages.”