The authors of the survey call for awareness campaigns: “More than half of people do not know that alcohol increases the risk of cancer”
A recent one American Association for Cancer Research report raises concerns about the link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer cases, especially among adults under 50.
Although cancer death rates have declined, the incidence of several types of cancer, such as gastrointestinal cancer and breast cancer, is increasing, with an alarming increase observed among younger people.
The study highlights that 40% of cancer cases are linked to modifiable risk factors, recommending reducing alcohol consumption, along with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising and minimizing exposure to pollutants.
The authors of the research also call for awareness campaigns to be conducted and for specific cancer warning labels to be added to alcoholic beverages.
“Fifty-one percent of people — or more than half — don’t know that alcohol increases cancer risk,” said Jane Figueiredo, an epidemiologist at the Samuel Oschin Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Figueiredo served on the committee that prepared the report.
“We can talk about the myth that red wine has potential cardiovascular benefits, but there are many ways to keep your heart healthy and these potential benefits do not outweigh the cancer risks,” she added.
According to the report, heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of six types of cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and some types of cancer of the head and neck, breast, colorectal, liver and stomach.
Alcohol is also thought to increase the risk of breast cancer in women, as it can increase levels of the hormone estrogen, which can promote the development of the disease. Therefore, reducing alcohol consumption is one of the few ways women can modify their risk of this disease.
While women were once discouraged from drinking during pregnancy for many reasons, the American Association for Cancer Research report provides another: Studies have shown that drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of childhood leukemia in children.
The researchers emphasize that, given this evidence, reducing alcohol consumption becomes a crucial strategy for cancer prevention.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
