Attention libation lovers: A new advisory from the surgeon general says drinking alcohol — even one drink a day — increases the risk for certain cancers.
Breast cancer had the highest alcohol-related risk for women and people assigned female at birth. The report states that about 4 more women out of 100 would develop breast cancer by drinking two alcoholic drinks a day. And that’s regardless of the type of alcohol consumed including beer and wine.
The report also links alcohol to an increased risk for six other cancers — colorectal, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat and voice box cancer.
There’s been a growing body of research in recent years pointing to the health risks of drinking alcohol, but now the advisory is taking it one step further, calling for warning labels — Similar to the pregnancy warning already on bottles of alcohol — to be put on bottles to help increase awareness about the link between alcohol and cancer.
Steven Quay, M.D., Ph.D., has spent more than 30 years in medical research focused on breast cancer and preventive therapies. We asked him what women need to know about the surgeon general’s report and the latest research out there regarding the link between alcohol and cancer.
Read: How Much Alcohol Is Too Much for Your Heart Health? >>
The surgeon general’s advisory underscores that even small amounts of alcohol can increase a woman’s risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer. It highlights that breast cancer accounts for the majority of alcohol-related cancer cases among women, with evidence suggesting that risk increases even at levels as low as one drink per day.
This advisory serves as a wake-up call to reevaluate societal norms surrounding alcohol consumption, particularly among women, and to promote awareness that alcohol is a modifiable risk factor for one of the most common cancers affecting women.
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The evidence suggests that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer risk. Both the surgeon general and National Academy reports indicate that alcohol increases cancer risk in a dose-dependent manner, with risk starting to rise even with low levels of consumption. The surgeon general’s report is explicit in stating that the best way to lower cancer risk is to abstain from alcohol entirely. While the National Academy report acknowledges the same association, it also points out that the absolute increase in risk at very low levels may be modest. The public health message is clear: Less is better, and none is best.
Women need to know that alcohol is a significant, preventable risk factor for breast cancer. The surgeon general’s report emphasizes that even one drink per day can increase breast cancer risk by approximately 10%, and consuming two drinks daily raises this risk by over 30%. The mechanism involves alcohol-induced increases in estrogen levels, which can drive the development of hormone-sensitive breast cancers. This reinforces the need for awareness campaigns and a cultural shift in how alcohol is marketed and consumed by women. Women should be empowered with the knowledge that reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption is a proactive step toward lowering their cancer risk.
Yes, it is never too late to reduce your cancer risk by stopping alcohol consumption. The National Academy report notes that ceasing alcohol intake can lead to a gradual reduction in cancer risk over time, as the body begins to repair alcohol-induced DNA damage and hormonal imbalances. Additionally, the surgeon general’s advisory highlights that any reduction in alcohol use, even after years of consumption, can still contribute to improved overall health and decreased risk of alcohol-related cancers. This is particularly important for women who may have consumed alcohol under the misconception of its cardiovascular benefits, which recent evidence has shown to be overstated or outweighed by cancer risks. The key takeaway is that quitting alcohol now is a powerful and actionable step toward improving long-term health outcomes.
This article was originally published on healthywomen.org.
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