Reducing your alcohol consumption could help you avoid developing certain forms of cancer.
At least that’s the warning just published by the Surgeon General of the United States, the equivalent of the director of public health in Quebec, several American media reported Friday morning.
Dr Vivek Murthy’s report links alcohol consumption to the risk of developing the disease. Certain types of cancer, such as breast, mouth and throat cancer, are among those whose risk factor can increase with consumption as little as one drink per day, writes the New York Times.
One in six breast cancers in the United States is attributable to alcohol consumption, we can read in the document published by Dr. Murthy.
Even though alcohol consumption is the third preventable cause of cancer in the United States, behind tobacco and obesity, and the evidence is accumulating, fewer than one in two Americans recognize that it is “a risk factor linked to cancer,” notes Dr. Murthy in his warning.
“This advice sets out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol-related cancer risks and minimize harm,” he said.
Towards warnings like on cigarette packets?
In his report, Dr. Murthy recommends that the warnings currently appearing on bottles in the United States be updated to mention the link between alcohol and cancer.
-Currently, the warnings on bottles sold in the United States contain two sentences, one of which is intended to discourage pregnant women from using it and the other to discourage drunk driving.
It has not changed since 1988.
“The surgeon general recommends updating this warning so that it includes the risks of developing cancer,” the report says.
The surgeon general also mentions that graphic warnings that change from one bottle to another are more effective than simple sentences in leading to changes in consumer habits.
Following this recommendation, the stock values of several European hard alcohol producers fell, reports Reuters.
