US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has raised concerns about the link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colon, and liver cancer. Despite these dangers, many Americans remain unaware of the connection. In a Reuters report, Murthy called for a reevaluation of current alcohol consumption guidelines to better inform people about the associated cancer risks.
The existing US dietary guidelines advise a maximum of two drinks per day for men and one for women. Murthy’s office also noted that alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, following tobacco and obesity. Notably, the type of alcohol consumed does not influence the risk level.
The Surgeon General’s advisory triggered a decline in the stock prices of major alcohol producers, including Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Anheuser-Busch InBev, and Heineken. In response, the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) cited a National Academies report, which suggests that moderate alcohol use might lower overall death rates, despite its role in increasing breast cancer risk. Meanwhile, the US Beer Institute emphasized the importance of responsible drinking and noted that existing health warnings address alcohol-related risks.
The future of Murthy’s recommendations remains unclear, especially as President Joe Biden’s administration nears its end. Any updates to alcohol labels will require congressional approval.
