Experts Warn of Strong Link Between Alcohol and Six Types of Cancer

A recent report underscores a significant link between excessive alcohol consumption and the risk of six types of cancer, including breast, colorectal and liver cancer. According to the American Association for cancer research (AACR), 5.4% of cancers in the unites states were attributes to alcohol in 2019.

The AACR’S 2024 cancer progress report, released on September 18, highlights this connection, especially as rates of these cancers are rising among younger adults. The report emphasizes that individuals can lower their cancer risk by reducing their alcohol intake.

Notably, 40% of cancers in the U.S are linked to modifiable risk factors, such as excessive alcohol use, tobacco, lack of physical activity, and poor diet. Research indicates that increased alcohol consumption correlates with a higher risk of both alcohol-related cancers and all cancers overall. Conversely, reducing or quitting drinking can significantly decrease these risks.

The report cities a 2022, study suggesting that individuals who cut back on alcohol or stop drinking can lower their risk of alcohol-relates cancers by 8% and their overall cancer risk by 4%. This finding highlights the importance of moderating alcohol consumption as a preventive measure against cancer.

Excessive alcohol consumption raises the risk of six types of cancer:

• certain head and neck cancer

• Breast cancer

• colorectal cancer

• esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

• liver cancer

• stomach cancer

In, 2019 5.4% of cancers in the U.S were linked to alcohol use. Drinking alcohol at a young age can also increase the risk of cancer later in life. Research shows that drinking moderately or heavily during pregnancy may increase the chances of a child developing leukemia after birth.

Although the overall cancer death rate in the U.S has dropped from 1991 to 2021-resukting in about4.1 million fewer cancer deaths-some cancers are still increasing. This includes certain early-onset cancers, like breast and colorectal cancers, in people under 50.

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