Alcohol’s role in cancer risk

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As scientific research advances, we are gaining a clearer understanding of alcohol's impact on health, particularly cancer risk. A recent report from the American Association for Cancer Research reveals that 40% of all cancer cases are linked to modifiable risk factors. Alcohol consumption ranks high among these factors, with six specific types of cancer linked to alcohol: head and neck cancers, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and stomach cancer. These findings highlight the need for greater public awareness and education about the potential risks associated with alcohol consumption.

Source

Islami, F., Marlow, E. C., Thomson, B., McCullough, M. L., Rumgay, H., Gapstur, S. M., Patel, A. V., Soerjomataram, I., & Jemal, A. (2024). Proportion and number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in the United States, 2019. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 74(5), 405–432. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21858

Additional Reading

https://www.who.int/andorra/publications/m/item/factsheet-5-facts-about-alcohol-and-cancer

https://www.sciencealert.com/new-report-links-alcohol-to-six-major-cancer-types

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/health/alcohol-cancer-young-adults.html