No doubt you have seen the bumper sticker and T-Shirts proclaiming their disdain for cancer, with a F*** Cancer motif. Well, let’s mark World Cancer Day 2025 with a proactive and loud move for change.
Alcohol consumption is a significant yet often overlooked risk factor for cancer. Recent studies have shed light on the urgent need to increase public awareness about this connection and implement effective policies to reduce alcohol-related cancer risks.
Public Awareness is Still too Low
Despite strong scientific evidence, public awareness of the alcohol-cancer link remains alarmingly low. A National Institutes of Health study in 2023 found that over 50% of Americans were unaware that drinking alcohol raises one's risk of cancer. This lack of awareness extends across different types of alcoholic beverages, with many people believing wine to be less harmful or even beneficial.
Cancer Types Associated with Alcohol & How Does Alcohol Cause the Big ‘C’
Alcohol has been causally linked to at least seven types of cancer,
- Breast
- Mouth
- Throat
- voice box
- oesophagus
- liver and
- colorectal cancers.
The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed, but even light to moderate drinking can elevate cancer risk.
In short, alcohol contains ethanol, a known carcinogen. When metabolized, it produces acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can damage cellular DNA, potentially leading to cancer. This process occurs regardless of the type of alcoholic beverage consumed.
What Should be Done – What Can be Done?
Experts recommend…
- Implementing comprehensive health warning labels on alcoholic products5.
- Investing in evidence-based public education campaigns.
- Restricting alcohol availability through strengthened liquor laws.
- Limiting alcohol marketing and sponsorship, especially to protect children.
Communities can play a crucial role in cancer prevention by:
- Supporting local policies that restrict alcohol availability.
- Promoting awareness through educational initiatives.
- Encouraging healthcare providers to discuss alcohol-related cancer risks with patients.
- Be Loud About It
Low-Level Consumption Risks
Recent research published in The Lancet Public Health has highlighted that even low levels of alcohol consumption can increase cancer risk. This finding challenges the notion of "safe" drinking levels and emphasizes the importance of considering alcohol reduction as a key cancer prevention strategy. In conclusion, raising awareness about the link between alcohol and cancer is crucial for public health. By combining individual awareness with community action and policy changes, we can work towards reducing alcohol-related cancer incidence and improving overall health outcomes.
The Simple Equation
While the relationship between alcohol and cancer is complex, the preventive measure is straightforward: reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption can significantly lower cancer risk. As there is no safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer risk, even small reductions can have positive health impacts.
Round Out
Well, this brief snapshot is more than enough info for anyone to ‘call it’ on this World Cancer Day. Call it Loud - We don’t want cancer! The trade-off for limited ‘jollies’ (with hangovers) is not worth the risk. Call it today, this week, this month – hey, make it a year – Then revisit the carcinogen with fresh and healthier eyes and see if you’ll re-engage.
So, in closing, it would be reasonable to add, that if you want to ‘F*** Cancer’, then you probably need to do the same to booze!
Team at Dalgarno Institute.
Endnotes
- Raising Awareness of the Link Between Alcohol and Cancer
- How Communities Can Advance Cancer Prevention Through Awareness and Policy Action on Alcohol
- Stop Drinking Alcohol = Reduced Cancer Risk: Simple equation isn’t it?
- Health and cancer risks associated with low levels of alcohol consumption - The Lancet Public Health