He said the link between alcohol and cancer has been known since the 1980s, with growing evidence confirming the dangers. However, mandatory warning labels fail to address the health threat.
"Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer that is responsible for about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States," Murthy said, emphasizing that this number exceeds the approximately 13,500 deaths in alcohol-related traffic crashes each year.
"Yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk," he added, emphasizing the urgent need for public education.
Introduced in 1988, the existing warning label states only that "women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects" and that "consuming alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery and can cause health problems."
Murthy urged Congress to modernize these labels to reflect the now well-established cancer risk, as other countries have done, including South Korea and Ireland.
Alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least 7 types of cancer, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and larynx. In breast cancer alone, alcohol is responsible for 16.4% of all cases.
But public awareness lags far behind. A 2019 survey found that only 45% of Americans identify alcohol as a risk factor for cancer, compared to 91% for radiation exposure, 89% for tobacco use, 81% for asbestos exposure, and 53% for obesity.
The new consultation also questions the adequacy of US dietary guidelines, which recommend a daily limit of two drinks for men and one for women.
Worryingly, 17% of alcohol-related cancer deaths occur among individuals who do not exceed these limits, suggesting the need for reassessment.
The consultation document notes that healthcare providers also have a crucial role to play by informing patients about alcohol-related risks, offering interventions and referring them for treatment when necessary.
Alcohol contributes to cancer through 4 main mechanisms.
It metabolizes into acetaldehyde, which damages DNA; causes oxidative stress, which damages DNA, proteins, and cells; disrupts hormone levels, including estrogen, which increases breast cancer risk; and increases absorption of carcinogens, including from tobacco. | BGNES
