Alcohol and cancer risk

A health advisory in January to the American people has issued a stark warning to raise awareness of the health risks of alcohol consumption and increases in rates of avoidable cancers. The Surgeon General’s Advisory states that 741,300 global deaths were attributed to alcohol consumption in 2020, ranging from daily consumption of less than 2 units up to 6+ per day of wine, beer, or spirits.  Specific cancers closely linked with alcohol intake include mouth, throat, larynx, oesophagus, breast, liver, and colon. 

In the advisory, the US Department of Health and Human Services highlight four mechanisms which could explain how alcohol can lead to cancer including damages to DNA, changes in how the body manages oxidative stress, hormone disruptions, and higher absorption of carcinogens. When surveyed, only 45% of Americans knew that alcohol was a cancer risk compared to 89% awareness of tobacco risk. 

‘Dry January’, now in its 13th year promotes the health benefits of going alcohol free during the first calendar month of the year, with almost 30% of UK adults intending to abstain from drinking alcohol. Alcohol Change UK, the charity who created the ‘Dry January’ initiative in 2012, have developed a new app to help motivate to help anyone interested in reducing their alcohol consumption. 

The message from the US Surgeon General’s Advisory provides more compelling reasons to re-think alcohol intake for anyone who is concerned about their health and wellbeing.

• For more ideas about lifestyle changes you can make to boost your wellbeing read our post, five easy wins to avoid everyday chemicals. 
• For more information about reducing your alcohol intake visit the NHS website where there is also an app you can use to track your consumption.