One Alcoholic Drink a Day Can Raise Cancer Risk, Warns Surgeon General

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a Surgeon General’s Advisory on Friday, warning of the connection between alcohol use and cancer risk. “This advisory highlights alcohol use as a leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, contributing to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and about 20,000 cancer deaths each year,” the document stated. “The more alcohol consumed, the greater the risk of cancer.” The advisory emphasized that even moderate consumption poses risks. “For certain cancers, like breast, mouth, and throat cancers, evidence shows that this risk may start to increase around one or fewer drinks per day,” it explained. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy sits for an interview, inside his parents’ home, Tuesday, July 16, 2024, near Miami, Fla. On Friday, Murthy said that alcohol is a leading preventable cause of cancer, and alcoholic… Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy sits for an interview, inside his parents’ home, Tuesday, July 16, 2024, near Miami, Fla. On Friday, Murthy said that alcohol is a leading preventable cause of cancer, and alcoholic beverages should carry a warning label as packs of cigarettes do. Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo A Surgeon General’s Advisory is a public statement reserved for pressing health issues requiring immediate attention and action. Previous advisories have addressed topics such as youth mental health, misinformation, addiction, and tobacco use. Dr. Murthy’s latest warning calls for national awareness and action to mitigate the risks associated with alcohol consumption. For decades, moderate alcohol consumption was believed to help prevent heart attacks and strokes, and this notion has shaped dietary advice for Americans. However, growing evidence now links alcohol consumption—sometimes even within the recommended limits—to several types of cancer. Currently, labels on bottles and cans of alcoholic beverages caution against drinking during pregnancy, before operating machinery, or driving, while also mentioning general health risks. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.