NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 03: Boxes of empty beer bottles line up outside a store in Brooklyn … [+]
Dr. Vivek Murthy, the 21ST US Surgeon General, recently released an advice about the causal link between alcohol and an increased risk of cancer.
The advisory states that alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in America, behind tobacco and obesity, and contributes to approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually.
Dr. Murthy cites a growing body of evidence suggesting that alcohol has a direct link, and not just an association, with at least seven different types of cancer, including cancers of the breast, colon, liver, esophagus, mouth , the throat and the larynx. The advisory also calls for an update to the Surgeon General’s health warning label on alcoholic beverages to include cancer risk.
Dr. Murthy’s message to the American public is important given the rise of many cancers, including some, such as colon cancer in young people, that are directly linked to alcohol. Despite this, less than half of Americans (45%) are aware that consuming alcohol increases the risk of developing cancer. The advisory hopes to raise awareness about the deadly and devastating effects of alcohol on health.
An equally important lesson from the advice should be one of reexamining our relationship with alcohol. The drug has been celebrated in American culture for decades, and many social gatherings such as weddings and sporting events are nearly synonymous with alcohol. Furthermore, alcohol is usually associated with beautiful women and happy emotions when it is heavily advertised, giving the American public a false sense of security when purchasing the drink. Given alcohol’s harmful health effects, public health leaders must lead a cultural shift in recognizing alcohol for what it is; namely a poisonous drug that can cause a lot of damage.
According to the American newspaper, alcohol has no health benefits American Public Health Association. Alcohol has traditionally been believed to be beneficial for heart health when consumed in moderate amounts, but recent advisory challenges argue that. Even small amounts of alcohol consumption can lead to cancer, especially breast cancer, as stated in the advisory. Ultimately, no amount of alcohol is truly safe for your health.
Alcohol can also have devastating effects, even beyond cancer. The long-term effects of alcohol can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease and a weakened immune system. Furthermore, alcohol can harm even those who don’t drink. Every day, 37 people die in America from drunk driving accidents directly related to alcohol, according to the US newspaper National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Additionally, an estimated 88,000 Americans die each year from alcohol-related interpersonal violence US Addiction Centers. Interpersonal violence includes intimate partner violence, sexual assault, suicides and homicides.
The U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on alcohol should serve as a stark reminder that the cultural normalization of alcohol consumption can overlook its significant health risks. Doctors, public health officials and media personnel must educate the public about the dangers of alcohol consumption. The advisory should also be a call to physicians to improve alcohol screening during primary care patient visits so that Americans can take control of their health.
Dry January is the perfect time to start, and perhaps the term ‘Dry January’ should be renamed ‘Forever Dry’.