Recent discussions have highlighted the significant link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of various cancers.  The Washington Post just reported that The U.S. Surgeon General has emphasized that all alcoholic beverages should carry warning labels about these cancer risks.  While the incoming U.S. Surgeon General will likely not push for this recommendation, and thus it is unlikely we will be seeing warning labels on cans of beer soon, the data is compelling and this warning should be taken seriously.

Alcohol as a Carcinogen

Alcohol has been recognized as a carcinogen since 1988. Its consumption is associated with several types of cancer, including those of the breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat, and larynx. The mechanisms by which alcohol increases cancer risk include:

• DNA Damage: Alcohol metabolism produces acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that can damage DNA and proteins.
• Hormonal Changes: Alcohol can alter hormone levels, such as increasing estrogen, which is linked to breast cancer.
• Increased Absorption of Carcinogens: Alcohol may enhance the body’s absorption of other carcinogenic substances.

In 2020, approximately 740,000 cancer cases worldwide were attributed to alcohol consumption, with more than three-quarters occurring in men.  In the United States, alcohol use accounts for about 6% of all cancers and 4% of all cancer deaths in the U.S., and each year, about 20,000 adults in the United States die from alcohol-related cancers.  You might think that this was only associated with heavy consumption, and it is true that heavy alcohol use can lead to nearly a fivefold increase in the risk of esophageal cancer; however, even light alcohol consumption is associated with a 1.3-fold higher risk of esophageal cancer compared to non-drinkers.

What to do?

When I was in training and up until recently, the rule of thumb was that 1 drink a day for a woman and 2 drinks a day for a man was safe.  This is no longer the case.  It is clear that no amount of alcohol is completely safe, though limited consumption likely has a relatively low risk.

While this doesn’t mean you have to completely abstain from alcohol, it is important to understand that even moderate alcohol consumption can increase cancer risk is crucial for making informed decisions about drinking.

Drinking daily can be linked to cancer, so if you do drink regularly, try to include days without alcohol.  Try to limit alcohol to social occasions, such as parties, celebrations, and dinners with friend. If you have a glass of wine with dinner every night, consider cutting this back or eliminating this as a regular routine.  I would definitely recommend eliminating a routine “night cap” as drinking before bedtime can actually disrupt healthy sleep patterns.  Finally, binge drinking is associated with higher cancer risks, so even if you drink infrequently, don’t binge.