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- Cancer deaths tied to alcohol are rising fast, study finds (abcnews.go.com)
Alcohol-Related Cancer Deaths Double in Three Decades
A new study, to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual conference, reveals a stark increase in alcohol-associated cancer deaths in the United States. The analysis, covering 1990 to 2021, shows these deaths have doubled, rising from 11,896 to a troubling 23,207.
Lead author Dr. Chinmay Jani, a clinical fellow at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, emphasizes alcohol’s often overlooked role in cancer development.
“While risk factors like tobacco are well-known,” Dr. Jani stated, “it’s crucial to recognize alcohol as a carcinogen across numerous cancer types.”
He cautioned that any level of alcohol consumption carries potential health risks, regardless of frequency.
The study used self-reported drinking habits, employing statistical methods to account for potential inaccuracies. These findings echo a recent U.S.
Surgeon General advisory linking alcohol to seven cancers, including breast and colorectal cancers, and recommending warning labels on alcoholic beverages. The International Agency for Research on Cancer also classifies alcohol as a Group-1 carcinogen, linking it to cancers of the liver, breast, colorectal, esophagus, larynx, mouth, and throat.
Men experienced a disproportionately higher increase (70.2%) in alcohol-attributable cancer deaths compared to women (15.2%). Researchers suggest this disparity may stem from earlier drinking initiation, higher engagement in risky alcohol behaviors among men, and potential biological differences. Geographic variations were also observed, with Washington, D.C., reporting the highest and Utah the lowest alcohol-associated death rates, likely reflecting regional drinking patterns.
Liver cancer poses the most significant alcohol-related risk, particularly for those 55 and older. Even moderate alcohol use can elevate liver cancer risk in individuals with pre-existing conditions like obesity, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Dr. Jani explained that alcohol consumption at a younger age can accumulate and manifest as health problems later in life.
Dr. Gilberto Lopes, chief of medical oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and a study co-author, underscored the urgent need for targeted prevention and public awareness campaigns. “We hope our study informs the public about the impact of alcohol on individual cancer risk,” he stated.
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- Cancer deaths tied to alcohol are rising fast, study finds (abcnews.go.com)