Alcohol labels should carry cancer risk warning, U.S. surgeon general urges
Alcohol is the third leading cause of cancer in the U.S., after tobacco and obesity, according to a new report from the U.S. surgeon general.
Alcoholic drinks should carry cancer risk warning labels, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said in a report Friday.
The report cites a direct link between alcohol consumption and at least seven types of cancer, including of the breast, colorectal, liver and mouth. An estimated 16.4% of total breast cancer cases are linked to drinking alcohol.
There are about 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases and about 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths in the U.S. each year, the report found. Alcohol is the third-leading cause of cancer in the U.S., after tobacco and obesity.
While research has shown a link between alcohol and cancer, "the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk," Murthy said in a statement.
Alcohol can cause cancer in several ways, including damaging DNA and altering hormone levels, according to the report.
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